Source TOI
LAHORE – In a shocking development for Pakistan cricket, several top-tier national players, including former captain Babar Azam and star wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, have reportedly fallen victim to a sophisticated financial scam. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has launched an investigation into the matter after reports surfaced that the players may have lost millions of rupees in what appears to be a collapsed Ponzi scheme.
According to sources close to the development, the alleged fraud involves approximately a dozen current national players. Alongside Babar and Rizwan, pace sensation Shaheen Shah Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, and Shadab Khan are also believed to be among those affected. The total financial loss across the group is estimated to exceed one billion Pakistani rupees.
The Modus Operandi
The scam centers around a prominent Pakistani businessman who was a well-known figure within the cricketing fraternity and had previously sponsored various Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises. Leveraging his proximity to the stars, the businessman reportedly convinced them to invest significant sums—including personal savings and funds belonging to their families—with the promise of high monthly returns.
While the “investments” initially yielded profit payments for the first few months, the cash flow abruptly stopped. When the cricketers demanded an explanation, the businessman allegedly claimed to have suffered catastrophic personal and professional losses, rendering him unable to return the principal amounts. Shortly thereafter, he reportedly ceased all communication and fled the country.
PCB Steps In
The PCB has taken serious note of the situation, especially as the financial distress of its key players could impact their mental well-being and performance on the field. The board is currently investigating the extent of the involvement and looking into how a person with such proximity to the national team managed to execute a scam of this magnitude.
A Ponzi scheme typically functions by using funds from new investors to pay “returns” to earlier ones, rather than generating actual profit. Once the influx of new money dries up, the system collapses, leaving the latest investors with nothing.
For Pakistan’s cricketing icons, who are already facing intense scrutiny over recent on-field performances, this off-field financial blow adds a significant layer of turmoil to an already challenging season.
