I Received Death Threats For Speaking Out Against Cricket Corruption, Reveals Sarfaraz Nawaz
Zeeshan Mehtab | Published September 25, 2026 | 03:06 PM
Former Pakistan fast bowler Sarfaraz Nawaz has revealed that he received threats of serious consequences for his consistent speaking out against cricket corruption.
The 77-year-old, regarded as one of the world’s finest fast bowlers and credited with pioneering reverse swing, will launch his new book at Lord's today. His autobiography delves into dressing room politics, controversies like match-fixing, and details how some players undermined one another, attempts were made to remove captains, and betting crept into Pakistani cricket.
Nawaz told BBC Urdu that the book also references the Justice Faqir Muhammad Yousuf Commission report, statements by various individuals, and allegations against former captains.
He claimed he faced threats for his stance: "Bookies were afraid of me. I was threatened that if I continued talking nonsense, they would kill me," said Nawaz. He registered official complaints in 2010 and 2017 and wrote to the prime minister, president, chief justice, and army chief seeking action against alleged corruption.
The former bowler also discussed alleged betting in Sharjah, stating that the International Cricket Council (ICC) conducted an inquiry in 2001 or 2003 leading to the city's ban. Referring to the case of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif, and Mohammad Amir, sentenced to prison in 2011 for spot-fixing, Nawaz emphasized that cricket corruption was no secret.