Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has been reportedly filed with a formal complaint by an online gambling and betting platform that he has an association with. Muhammad Fiaz filed the petition with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Lahore, seeking legal action against Akram for reportedly promoting the app.
Gambling App Endorsement Sparks Controversy
The complaint alleges that Akram has been associated with an international betting site called Baji, which he is the brand ambassador. “A poster circulating on social media and a video clip show Wasim Akram endorsing the online platform, which has sparked interest among general users in the app,” Fiaz stated.
The complainant requested the NCCIA to take strict legal action under the Electronic Crimes Act of 2016, as the promotion of the same online was against the Pakistani law. The problem has led to the debate on social media with many people asking why a national sports star can be used in promoting gambling.
NCCIA Confirms Receipt of Complaint
On Tuesday, an official of the NCCIA informed PTI that the agency had received the complaint and they would look into the matter in detail. “We will take action against him if the allegations are found to be true,” the official confirmed, signaling potential legal proceedings against the former fast bowler.
Akram has not made any public statement over the accusations. The scandal is also opportune because it comes after TikToker and YouTuber Saad-ur-Rehman, also known as Ducky Bhai, was arrested in connection with the promotion of the same gambling app. This has raised the concerns over celebrity endorsement in Pakistan.
Cricketing Praise Amid Legal Trouble
Even though there are existing legal challenges, the Pakistani legendary cricketer Wasim Akram has lately praised the Indian pace bowler Mohammed Siraj saying that his action against England was outstanding. “I rarely watch cricket when I’m not working, but I was glued to the last day. Siraj was full of hunger and passion – it was an incredible effort,” Akram said.
He added, “To bowl nearly 186 overs across five Tests and still be that fiery on the final day shows remarkable stamina and mental strength. He’s not just a support bowler anymore. He’s leading the attack and doing it with heart. Even when a catch went down– that of Brook – he didn’t lose focus.”
Akram has nothing but praise about his continued love of cricket and that love of the game has not been diminished by the cloud of the gambling endorsement controversy. “That’s the mark of a fighter. Test cricket is alive and kicking,” he concluded in his interview with Telecom Asia Sport.
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