LONDON — Former Pakistani cricketer Nasir Jamshaid has publicly apologised for his involvement in a 2017 spot-fixing and bribery conspiracy related to T20 matches, including the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Speaking for the first time since his conviction, Jamshaid expressed remorse for his actions and urged young players to avoid corrupt practices.
Conviction and Prison Struggles
Jamshaid, who represented Pakistan in over 60 matches, was convicted in February 2020 at Manchester Crown Court. He received a 17-week prison sentence and was banned from cricket for ten years. In his interview, Jamshaid revealed that he had contemplated suicide while in prison, saying his wife, Dr Samara Afzal, and their daughter Haniya were the only reasons he chose to keep living.
He stated, “I apologise to Pakistanis and cricket fans all over the world. I am ashamed. What I did was completely wrong. My advice to newcomers is never to get involved in corrupt practices because it can destroy you and the people around you.”
Jamshaid also appealed to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to consider ending his ban early, noting that he has already served nine years of it.
Details of the Spot-Fixing Conspiracy
Jamshaid admitted facilitating contacts between co-conspirators Yousef Anwar, Sharjeel Khan, and Khalid Latif in exchange for money. He explained that financial pressure due to his father’s critical illness led him to make reckless decisions. “I thought I was helping my family, but I didn’t realise I was about to ruin many lives, including my own,” he said.
The former cricketer emphasised that proper legal guidance might have reduced his punishment, but his solicitor, Shahid Ali, mismanaged the case.
Mismanagement by Solicitor
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal recently fined Ali £40,000 with £30,000 in legal costs for dishonesty and serious professional misconduct. Jamshaid revealed that Ali had advised him not to plead guilty, misled him about the significance of covert audio evidence, and mismanaged large sums of cash meant for legal fees.
Jamshaid said, “From the moment I was arrested, my lawyer told me to maintain that I had not taken part in the spot-fixing conspiracy. I knew the evidence was strong, but he kept me in the dark. My life was turned upside down by his bad advice.”
His wife, Dr Samara Afzal, confirmed that Ali deliberately misrepresented evidence and delayed the guilty plea, forcing her to intervene in court. While some allegations were not upheld by the Tribunal, she is considering further legal action against him.
Co-Conspirators and Impact
Jamshaid was jailed following an undercover NCA investigation, while co-conspirators Yousef Anwar and Mohammed Ijaz also received prison sentences. Pakistani players Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif were banned for five years and two-and-a-half years, respectively, by the PCB for violating anti-corruption regulations.
Reflecting on his ordeal, Jamshaid said, “I deeply regret my actions. I have paid a huge price and hope my story serves as a lesson for others in cricket.”
This interview marks a rare public acknowledgment of guilt, personal struggles, and the mishandling of legal representation that exacerbated the consequences of one of Pakistan cricket’s most notorious spot-fixing cases.
