The complaint was submitted by a citizen, Muhammad Fiaz, who accused the former Pakistan captain of being involved with Baji, a foreign-based gambling and betting app. Fiaz urged authorities to take strict legal action against Akram under the provisions of the Electronic Crimes Act, 2016
Wasim Akram (Pic: AFP)
Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram may face legal proceedings, including possible arrest, over allegations that he promoted and endorsed an illegal online sports betting platform, according to a report by PTI. The complaint has been filed with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Lahore, intensifying scrutiny around Akram’s public associations.
The complaint was submitted by a citizen, Muhammad Fiaz, who accused the former Pakistan captain of being involved with Baji, a foreign-based gambling and betting app. Fiaz urged authorities to take strict legal action against Akram under the provisions of the Electronic Crimes Act, 2016.
"A poster circulating on social media and a video clip show Wasim Akram endorsing the online platform, which has sparked interest among general users in the App," the complainant said.
An official from the NCCIA confirmed receipt of the complaint and indicated that action will be initiated if the allegations are substantiated during the course of the investigation. As of now, Akram has not released any official statement addressing the accusations.
The controversy surrounding Akram comes amid growing concerns over the influence of unregulated gambling and betting platforms in South Asia. Notably, popular Pakistani content creator Saad-ur-Rehman, widely known as Ducky Bhai, was arrested last Saturday in connection with the same app, suggesting that a broader crackdown may be underway.
This isn’t the first time Akram’s name has been linked to ethically murky territory in the cricketing world. During the late 1980s and 1990s, the legendary fast bowler was embroiled in multiple match-fixing allegations, though he was never formally convicted. A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) inquiry into corruption within the national team at the time found evidence of Akram's involvement, yet stopped short of imposing strict sanctions, largely, many believe, due to his stature as a senior figure and a globally celebrated cricketer.
Akram, regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history, played 104 Test matches and 356 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) for Pakistan. He remains the country’s highest wicket-taker in ODIs, with 502 dismissals, and has 414 wickets to his name in the longest format.
(With PTI inputs)
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