Ex Pak captain tied to sketchy agent

KARACHI:

A former Pakistan cricket captain has been found to have close ties with the company of suspended agent Mughiz Ahmed Sheikh and played a key role in securing contracts for several young players.

Meanwhile, Sheikh has been accused of offering a British coach a bribe to include his preferred players in the team.

According to details, Mughiz Ahmed Sheikh, head of the International Cricketers Association (ICA), which represents multiple Pakistani players and officials, is also registered as a player agent with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Following investigations by cricket regulators and a hearing at an independent anti-corruption tribunal, Sheikh was found guilty of four violations of the ECB’s anti-corruption code. The tribunal is set to announce its decision regarding his ban in due course, while the ECB has already suspended his registration as an agent.

Sources reveal that Sheikh allegedly attempted to bribe a British coach to secure spots for his preferred players in the team. The coach reported the incident, prompting an official investigation. Additionally, a former Pakistani captain, who currently holds a high-ranking position in the national setup, played a pivotal role in encouraging several young cricketers to sign contracts with ICA.

In the wake of the controversy, several prominent Pakistani players, including Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Huraira, Irfan Niazi, Mohammad Ali, and Usama Mir, along with mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed and former cricketer Wahab Riaz, have reportedly severed ties with ICA. They are now represented by Game Sports Management.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has yet to comment on the situation. However, if the ECB imposes a ban on Mughiz Ahmed Sheikh, all ICC member boards, including Pakistan, will be required to enforce the decision.

Earlier, The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) suspended the registration of the agent representing Pakistani cricketers and officials after he was found guilty of four violations of the ECB’s Anti-Corruption Code.

In response, the ECB has suspended Sheikh’s registration as a player agent. Previously, the influence of the SAYA Corporation dominated Pakistan cricket, but now ICA represents the majority of cricketers and officials.

Of the 25 centrally contracted players, 20 are affiliated with ICA, including notable names such as Aamer Jamal, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Haseebullah, Jahandad Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Hurraira, Irfan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Shadab Khan, Sufiyan Maqeem, and Tayyab Tahir. Other players like Imam ul Haq, Mohammad Haris, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Usama Mir, and Abdul Samad are also linked to the same agency.

Additionally, former cricketers such as Aaqib Javed, Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, and Misbah ul Haq are also represented by ICA.

Interestingly, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had taken steps in the past to reduce the influence of SAYA Corporation in cricket, but now ICA has emerged as the dominant agency representing players and officials.

To obtain further details on this matter, an Express news correspondent contacted Mugees Ahmad Sheikh, but he did not respond.