ICC T20 World Cup Qualifiers: UAE wicketkeeper-batsman goes missing

UAE wicketkeeper-batsman Ghulam Shabbir has gone missing during ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup qualifier event. UAE team, who are under already under immense pressure after four of ir players have come under an ICC Anti Corruption Unit investigation, was dealt ar blow just before ir match against Jersey at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

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According to local media reports, wicketkeeper failed to show up for a team meeting at 11 am on Monday, ahead of ir match against Hong Kong. He was also absent when national team lost to Jersey on Tuesday, after which it was revealed that he has fled to Pakistan. However, reasons for his move are t yet kwn. It is speculated that it might have to do with ongoing corruption probe.

UAE team manr's statement

UAE team manr, Peter Kelly said that Shabbir had t shown up in  team bus in afteron when team left for ir previous match against Hong Kong. y were concerned about his well being so y had gone out of ir way to contact any next of kin that y could. y had also searched hospitals to make sure he was fine. y had also got people to go and check if he was at home but since n, y found out that he had left country. He added that Shabber was safe and y still did t kw why he left.

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Last week, side had already lost four leading players as part of a corruption probe. Mohammed Naveed, Qadeer Ahmed and Shaiman Anwar were charged last Wednesday for breaching cricket’s anti-corruption code and post ir victory over Hong Kong on Monday, it was anunced that Ashfaq Ahmed, opening batsman, had also been provisionally suspended by ECB.

With regard to Shabbir’s disappearance, an Emirates Cricket Board official said that Shabbir was t under investigation from ICC’s ACU officials. ECB also revealed that Shabber had been traced to his home country of Pakistan, where he is safe.  ECB said that Shabbir was safe through his disappearance and he will be investigated in due course.

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33-year-old Shabbir was born in Jhang, a district of Punjab province of Pakistan and has played for UAE in 23 ODIs and 17 T20Is. Amidst all drama, UAE was defeated by 35 runs by Jersey on Tuesday in qualifying competition for T20 World Cup in Australia next year. 

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