Pakistan’s revenue authorities have frozen the bank accounts of cricket captain Misbah-ul Haq over alleged tax evasion, officials said Tuesday, plunging the star into fresh crisis.
Misbah is currently struggling with poor form with the bat and pulled out of the third and final one-day against Australia in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) spokesman Shahid Hussain told media that batsman Azhar Ali’s accounts have also been frozen.
“Misbah has not paid taxes of 3.9 million rupees and Ali owes 1.5 million rupees in taxes, so the FBR has frozen their accounts and as per rules, their banks will be asked to deduct the amount if it is there in their accounts,” said Hussain.
In 2012, the FBR warned Misbah and a number of players over tax evasion, and in July this year the 40-year-old approached finance minister Ishaq Dar to resolve the income tax issues.
Dar reportedly promised to resolve the issue but categorically told the players that paying taxes is a national obligation for every citizen.