Promising Test left-armer Mohammad Nawaz latest to be banned in corruption scandal that has engulfed the Pakistan Super League
Pakistan spinner Nawaz banned
The Pakistan Cricket Board has banned allrounder Mohammad Nawaz for one month and fined him A$2,500 after he admitted failing to disclose an approach by a bookmaker during the Pakistan Super League.
The 23-year-old left-arm spinner, who has played three Tests and is regarded as a bright prospect for Pakistan, was part of the national side's squad in the West Indies but returned home without playing a match.
He becomes the second casualty of a wide-ranging investigation after fast-bowler Mohammad Irfan was banned for six months with six suspended and fined one million rupees (A$13,000) after admitting to similar charges.
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Four other players – Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, Nasir Jamshed and Shahzaib Hasan – are also under investigation by a three-member tribunal and are provisionally suspended.
The cases relate to corruption in the Pakistan Super League Twent20 tournament held in United Arab Emirates in February to March this year.
The PCB has so far not revealed any details about the cases, including the identities of the bookmakers, what they asked players to do, and the amounts involved.
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"Nawaz was charged with a single violation, on one occasion, which he failed to disclose to the PCB vigilance and security department, full details of the approaches and invitations received by him to engage in corrupt conduct," the PCB said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
It added that the player's admission of guilt had led to a lighter sentence.
His ban is for two months, but one month will be suspended if he fulfils anti-corruption criteria set by the PCB.
Nawaz, who appeared for the Quetta Gladiators in the PSL, has so far played three Tests, nine one-day internationals and five Twenty20s.
His last international outing came during an ODI in Pakistan's tour of Australia in January.
If found guilty, the four remaining players face bans ranging from five years to lifetime, because their charges related to more serious offences and they have not admitted their guilt.