PAK CRICKET IN A FIX

Khalid Latif, Sharjeel Khan suspended on corruption slur

Karachi, Feb. 10: In a shocking turn of events, Pakistan cricketers Khalid Latif and Sharjeel Khan were on Friday provisionally suspended by the PCB on corruption charges and sent back home from Dubai, where they were competing in the Pakistan Super League T20.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that the two players had been suspended as part of an ongoing investigation into an international syndicate which is believed to be attempting to corrupt the PSL which kicked off Thursday.

Opener, Sharjeel recently toured New Zealand and Australia with the Pakistan team and is the only player to have scored a century in the PSL eliminator last year.

Both the players were representing defending champions, Islamabad United in the ongoing PSL. While Khalid didn’t play in the opening match, Sharjeel fell cheaply leg before wicket.

The PCB said that Sharjeel and Khalid will remain suspended from all cricket as the PCB, supported by the International Cricket Council (ICC), continues is rigorous and wide-ranging investigation as part of a collective efforts to protect the integrity of the sport.

“It would not be appropriate to comment on the specifics of the case, however this investigation is a clear demonstration of our determination to drive corruption out of the sport,” Najam Sethi, Chairman of the PSL said.

“We will not tolerate any form of corrupt activity and as this investigation proceeds we will not hesitate to take further decisive action as appropriate,” he said.

“The investigation of the PCB Anti-Corruption Unit, backed by the ICC ACU, has been effective in dealing with this case to date and we will continue to work in the closest collaboration as the investigation proceeds,” Sethi added. He said the PCB is absolutely committed to relentlessly pursuing anyone who would seek to damage the integrity of sport. This is not the first time that Pakistani players have been involved in fixing issues as in 2010 Muhammad Aamir, Salman Butt and Muhammad Asif were banned for five years for spot fixing during the England tour.

Three years back Test legspinner, Danish Kaneria was banned for life by the Wales Cricket Board for spot fixing in county cricket. Aamir returned to the Pakistan team after completing his five-year ban in 2015. — PTI