Pitch-fixing row: PCB starts to 'review reports' against Hasan Raza over TV sting

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has insisted that it will review former cricketer Hasan Raza’s involvement in an Al Jazeera sting where strong allegations of fixing pitches and also getting players to fix games have been made.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has already launched an investigation, stating it took the allegations through the documentary ‘very seriously’ and urged ‘all evidence and supporting material’ to be shared with the investigators.

In the video, former Mumbai player Robin Morris and the undercover reporter has been seen striking a conversation in the presence of former Pakistan batsman. However, Raza was not part of the conversation.

Morris and Raza were the teammates for the Mumbai Champs team in the now defunct Indian Cricket League (ICL).

"PCB and its Anti-Corruption Unit is in the process of reviewing reports regarding the alleged involvement of cricketer Hasan Raza in Corrupt Conduct. Appropriate action, if any, will be taken after collecting and reviewing all relevant evidence. Till such time no further comments are made," PCB said in a statement.

Al Jazeera claimed that Raza did not revert to the allegations made against him, while Morris ‘denies any wrongdoing’ and has gone on to claim that the channel had invited him to play part in a movie.

“I have reported match-fixing to International Cricket Council in the past ,” Raza said while speaking to a leading Pakistani news channel and further claimed that the video is from Ajman where had gone to take part in a local tournament.

Hasan Raza was the youngest ever to play Test cricket for Pakistan when he made his debut as a 14-year old in 1996.