PCB silent over sheesha controversy involving Malik, Wahab and Imam

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday resent a notice to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on a petition regarding its inaction against former national team skipper Shoaib Malik and others for violating team rules. 

Prior to a crucial match against arch-rivals India at the World Cup 2019, Malik was snapped at a cafe in London along with two other players as an unidentified person consumed sheesha on their table. 

Petitioner Abdul Jalil Marwat had claimed that Malik, pacer Wahab Riaz and opening batsmen Imam-ul-Haq were spotted consuming sheesha at a cafe in England the night before the match with India on June 16. 

The petitioner further alleged that Malik, Wahab and Imam performed poorly, perhaps as a result of their disregard for rules and regulations, which resulted in Pakistan’s loss.

After the PCB failed to take action against these players, Marwat had requested the court to direct the PCB to explain why the players were not punished for violating the team management rules and regulations.

A division bench of the SHC, headed by Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar, observed that no one had appeared in court on behalf of the PCB despite the issuance of notice. 

The court then resent the notice to PCB through a district and sessions judge in Lahore and adjourned the hearing of the case till a later date that is yet to be determined.