Pakistan's former test captain and prominent all-rounder Shoaib Malik has broken his silence regarding the match-fixing insinuations following his delivery of three no-balls in a Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) match against Khulna Tigers.
According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the incident, which occurred at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka, stirred a storm on social media platforms, with some fans speculating about potential match-fixing.
The controversy escalated when Mizanur Rahman, the owner of Fortune Barishal, raised concerns about the incident during a conversation on a private news channel, calling for an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Unit.
Malik, who departed the franchise citing personal reasons and traveled to Dubai immediately after the game, found himself amidst further scrutiny when reports surfaced of the termination of his contract by the franchise.
However, in response to the developments, Malik took to his official social media channels to address the fixing allegations. He clarified,
“I would like to address and dismiss the recent rumors circulating about my playing position with Fortune Barishal. I had a thorough discussion with our captain, Tamim Iqbal, and we mutually planned the way forward. I had to leave Bangladesh for a pre-committed media engagement in Dubai.
I extend my best wishes to Fortune Barishal for their upcoming matches, and if needed, I am available to support them if need be.
I have always found joy in playing the game and will continue to do so.
I want to emphasize the importance of exercising caution when it comes to rumors, especially those circulating recently. I want to make it clear that I strongly refute these baseless rumors. Everyone must verify the information before believing and spreading it.
Falsehoods can harm reputations and create unnecessary confusion. Let's prioritize accuracy and rely on credible sources to ensure a clear understanding of the facts. Thank you for your understanding and diligence."