Pakistan Cricket Board chairman denies bribing Zimbabwe players

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan

The Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Shaharyar Khan denied that Zimbabwe was bribed into touring Pakistan. The PCB chairman said on Friday that while it had paid around $500,000 to Zimbabwe cricket to cover their expenses for the tour, it was unfortunate there had been talk about players being bribed to tour Pakistan.

Zimbabwe became the first team to tour Pakistan after the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan squad in 2009. This was the first time after a long gap of six years that any team was touring Pakistan. Zimbabwe, a full-time member of ICC, played 2 Twenty20s and 3 ODIs against the Pakistan last month, but there were rumours that the Zimbabwe players were paid $12,500 each to be convinced to make the visit.

Tour was approved by both boards: PCB

“It was just a one-off deal. It does not mean that we will be paying every team which tours Pakistan. The Zimbabwe series was an exception. We are very thankful to Zimbabwe for visiting Pakistan.” the chairman clarified.

“That is not true as the tour was approved by both boards and just yesterday our Prime Minister sent a message of thanks to the Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe for allowing his team to tour Pakistan,” he added. 

Pakistan are scheduled to visit Zimbabwe in August for a return tour.