Bookmaker Raza in PCB's elite panel?

Lahore: Confusion prevails over the appointment of Pakistan's former Test spinner, Akram Raza on the PCB's elite panel of umpires after he was arrested last year by the police during a raid on a bookmaker's den here.

The 'Jang' newspaper reported that the board had appointed Raza, 47, on its umpires elite panel but the PCB was quick to issue a rebuttal over his appointment insisting all appointments in the board were taken after assessing the character and background of the candidate.

But the newspaper stuck by its story also confirming that former Test umpire, Mahboob Shah had been appointed as manager of the umpires and match referees in the board.

Akram Raza was arrested last year by the police on charges of betting on IPL during a raid on a bookmaker\'s den.

Raza, when contacted, declined to comment on his appointment but insisted he was proven innocent in the bookmakers case.

The offspinner who took to umpiring in domestic cricket about three years back, was arrested by the police last year in May along with six other persons on charges of betting on Indian Premier League matches.

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