Umar Akmal and Mohammad Sami allegedly under scanner for spot-fixing

Earlier, a top official of the National Crime Agency of the United Kingdom reported that Sami and Umar were among the players whose names had cropped up in the case. Now reports have claimed that he had given an evidence to the three-member anti-corruption tribunal in the spot-fixing case via a video link last week. 

PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan had also apparently mentioned the names of Sami and Umar during an interview with a Pakistani publication. However, PCB legal advisor, Salman Naseer refused to comment on the matter.

"I would advise the media and everyone else to refrain from taking names of any players without official confirmation as it causes problems and so far I don't recall anyone in the tribunal and board taking the names of these two players anywhere," Naseer was quoted as saying by PTI.

On being asked to confirm if the NCA official had taken the names of Sami and Umar during the testimony, Naseer didn’t give any reply.

Sami, who has been in demand in most foreign T20 leagues, has been asked by the Caribbean Premier League organisers whether there is any investigation going on against him. Similarly, the same question has been raised to Umar who is in London undergoing treatment for a knee problem.

"From what I know Sami is upset because the organizers of the Bangladesh Premier League where he is in great demand and plays every year have also raised questions," a reliable source said.

The PSL spot-fixing hearings have been going on since April. On Monday, Tafazzul Rizvi, the legal advisor of the board, confirmed that the arguments and testimonies in the Sharjeel Khan case had been completed and both parties would now give written submissions by July 29th. The tribunal would then announce a verdict in a month's time.