Imad Wasim: I raised ball-tampering issue before start of PSL

Pakistan's top all-rounder Imad Wasim on Thursday said he had raised issue of ball-tampering in Pakistan Super League (PSL) during a pre-tournament meeting with match referee Roshan Mahanama. Speculations were rife that Emad had taken names of Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan and Ravi Bopara when discussion on ball-tampering took place at meeting in which all team officials and captains were present. Apparently Mahanama was making it clear to team officials and captains about how seriously offences of spot-fixing and ball-tampering were taken at any level of cricket.

'I raised ball-tampering issue'

Wasim remarked at meeting that it would be difficult to stop ball-tampering incidents in PSL. To which Quetta Gladiators head coach, Moin Khan told Emad if you are making such accusations name those players who do ball-tampering. "I even suggested at meeting that if any team or players are caught doing this, ir captain should be banned for offence," Wasim said. Wasim's comments come on a day when Umar Akmal's was suspended by PCB pending an anti-corruption inquiry amid claims that he failed to report a spot-fixing approach.

Asked about comeback of tainted batsman, Sharjeel Khan in Karachi Kings franchise in PSL after serving a two-and-a-half-year ban for spot-fixing, Wasim said people do make mistakes in life. "I feel for those who make such blunders. Cricket is our bread and butter and we can't earn doing anything else. I can only feel for m because I kw sort of mental, physical and emotional pressure an affected family goes through in such circumstances because one individual made a mistake." Pakistan allrounder said that it was t easy for Sharjeel to make a comeback to big cricket after ban. "You can sense he is feeling pressure and is constantly under glare. But we are supporting him and we are confident he will come through. He has shown cour and is bravely facing situation," he said.