Pathan was approached: BCCI

While he did not name the team he was playing or the time the incident occurred,Pathan stated he had brought the incident to the notice of the team manager. “I was in a team hotel when a stranger approached me. He sent three expensive gifts to my room. He later sent me two more expensive gifts,things I couldn’t afford. I thought it was wrong as I didn’t know this person. He later sent me two more expensive gifts. I reported to the team manager who then alerted the ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit Officer,” said the 25-year-old who last played a home Test against South Africa in April,2008.

BCCI Finance and Media Committee Chairman Rajiv Shukla said Pathan had done the right thing by informing the matter to the team management. “That’s the normal procedure. What he (Pathan) had done was a normal procedure,” Shukla said. “If any stranger approaches any player they should be very careful. I think Irfan has done the right thing (by reporting the matter).” he added.

Shukla said that Indian players have been given awareness sessions by the ICC Anti-corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) on how to deal with the situation if they are approached by strangers. “We keep on organising sessions by ICC Anti-Corruption Unit for the benefit of players. There they are taught that they should be away from such things … if any stranger approaches them to offer some consideration … they should maintain a distance from that person and report it (to the team management),” said Shukla. “Players worldwide can be approached but it is the players job to maintain distance from these people,” he said.

Pathan said he never saw the “stranger” again and was glad that he had reported the matter immediately. “I haven’t seen the stranger since then. I think I have done the right thing and I am proud of it. As a player you are expected to report any such thing as per the code of conduct,”

Pathan’s revelations have come amidst raging spot-fixing controversy which has led to the suspension of the Pakistani trio of Test skipper Salman Butt and pacers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir who have been provisionally suspended by the ICC for allegedly conspiring to bowl no balls to order during the Lord’s Test against England last month.