The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested two suspects involved in international cricket betting during a targeted operation in Islamabad. According to the FIA spokesperson, the arrested men — Mujeeb and Zahid Ali — have been booked under anti-corruption laws, and further investigations are underway. Case details reveal that Zahid Ali is a Sindh Police official who also served as a professional cricketer and district-level umpire. He remained active in domestic cricket until 2021 and allegedly used his connections with international women cricketers to facilitate online betting activities.
Investigators state that Zahid Ali maintained contact with players in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Ghana, and several other African countries, presenting himself as a professional umpire to gain trust. He operated through a WhatsApp group named “World Cricket Law,” which he used to link people to illegal betting and offshore transactions. The FIA further confirmed that Zahid Ali was also involved in money laundering operations across multiple countries. Authorities have expanded the scope of the investigation, indicating that more arrests are expected as the network behind the illegal betting ring is traced and dismantled.
