Cricketer Nasir Jamshaid apologises over 2017 spot-fixing plot

LONDON: Former Pakistani cricket star Nasir Jamshaid has apologised to Pakistanis and cricket fans around the world for his role in a 2017 spot-fixing and bribery conspiracy linked to T20 matches, including a fixture in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

In his first interview since his arrest — and subsequent conviction — in Birmingham in February 2017 by the anti-corruption unit of the National Crime Agency (NCA), Jamshaid revealed that he contemplated suicide while in jail.

He was convicted in February 2020 at Manchester Crown Court, sentenced to 17 weeks in prison and banned from all forms of cricket for ten years. At his home near Birmingham, Jamshaid told private TV channel: “I apologise to Pakistanis and cricket fans all over the world. I am ashamed. What I did was completely wrong. My advice to newcomers is never to get involved in corrupt practices because it can destroy you and the people around you. There is too much suffering in it. Learn from my experience.”

Jamshaid, who represented Pakistan more than 60 times, revealed that he wanted to take his own life while in prison. He said: “I wanted to end my life on many occasions. There was no hope for me after what I did, but my wife Dr Samara saved my life. She helped me a lot. She would send me pictures of our daughter Haniya Jamshaid, and that would bring positivity to my mind — that I would live for her and fight for her in whatever means I can. My wife and my daughter saved my life. I can never thank my wife enough for what she did for me.”

Jamshaid also appealed to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to consider ending his ban, which expires within a year. “I would be thankful to Mohsin Naqvi if he can consider my request. I have already completed nine years of my ban.” Jamshaid admitted his involvement in the conspiracy.

He said: “I was involved in the conspiracy with Yousef Anwar. He told me that he wanted to meet Pakistani players in Dubai and asked for my help to facilitate the contacts. I facilitated his contact with Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif and urged them to meet Yousef and help him in exchange for money.”

Last week, the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) announced that Jamshaid’s solicitor, Shahid Ali of Osborne Knight Solicitors, had been fined £40,000, along with £30,000 in legal costs, by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. Monitoring Desk