PCB bans all-rounder Nawaz in spot-fixing probe

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday banned all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz for two months and imposed a fine of approximately $2,000 on him after the cricketer admitted failing to disclose an approach by a bookmaker to engage in corrupt practices.

The PCB, in its verdict, said that a "period of ineligibility/suspension of two months has been imposed on Nawaz (first month suspension commenced from May 16), one month of which will be suspended upon fulfilment of additional conditions," the board said in a statement.

The PCB further added that Nawaz was charged with a single violation of Article 2.4.4 of its anti-corruption code. The all-rounder accepted the charges levelled against him that he had failed to timely disclose details of the bookies' approach to the board's Vigilance and Security Department.

During the period of ineligibility, Nawaz's central contract executed with the PCB stands suspended, the release said.

The 23-year-old Nawaz was part of the Twenty20 squad in the West Indies in March but returned home without playing a match.

Nawaz is the second cricketer to be banned in recent times after fast-bowler Mohammad Irfan, who was banned for six months and fined one million rupees ($10,000) after admitting to similar charges.

Four other cricketers -- Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, Nasir Jamshed and Shahzaib Hasan -- are also under the lens for their alleged involvement in corruption-related activities in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

--IANS

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