ECB suspends registration of Pakistani cricketers' agent for anti-corruption violations

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has suspended the registration of the agent representing Pakistani cricketers and officials after he was found guilty of four violations of the ECB's Anti-Corruption Code. This agency represents more than 80% of centrally contracted cricketers and several former stars.

According to reports, the agency in question, International Cricketers Association (ICA), is headed by Mugees Ahmad Sheikh, who is also registered as a player agent with the ECB. Following an investigation by the cricket regulator and a hearing at an independent anti-corruption tribunal, Sheikh was found to have committed four breaches of the ECB’s Anti-Corruption Code. The anti-corruption tribunal will announce a decision on the suspension at an appropriate time.

In response, the ECB has suspended Sheikh’s registration as a player agent. Previously, the influence of the SAYA Corporation dominated Pakistan cricket, but now ICA represents the majority of cricketers and officials. Of the 25 centrally contracted players, 20 are affiliated with ICA, including notable names such as Aamer Jamal, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Haseebullah, Jahandad Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Hurraira, Irfan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Shadab Khan, Sufiyan Maqeem, and Tayyab Tahir. Other players like Imam ul Haq, Mohammad Haris, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Usama Mir, and Abdul Samad are also linked to the same agency.

Additionally, former cricketers such as Aaqib Javed, Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, and Misbah ul Haq are also represented by ICA.

Interestingly, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had taken steps in the past to reduce the influence of SAYA Corporation in cricket, but now ICA has emerged as the dominant agency representing players and officials.

To obtain further details on this matter, an Express news correspondent contacted Mugees Ahmad Sheikh, but he did not respond.