Daily Times

LAHORE: Pakistan Super League chairman Najam Sethi on Saturday revealed that Mohammad Irfan, Zulfiqar Babar and Shahzaib Hasan were questioned by the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) anti-corruption unit as part of the ongoing investigation into alleged attempts to corrupt the PSL. At the same time Sethi also clarified that the players would continue to play the PSL, dismissing media reports that the players were being suspended from the tournament. In a tweet posted soon after media reports about the suspension of Irfan, Zulfiqar and Shahzaib surfaced, Sethi said: “PCB Anti-Corruption Unit has questioned Irfan. Inquiry will continue. He does not face any immediate suspension. PCB ACU has also questioned Shahzaib and Zulfiqar. They will continue to play PSL 2017.” Three days into the celebrated PSL, the names of more players have surfaced in connection with corruption charges. Islamabad United’s Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif were sent back home mid-tournament Friday night after allegations of them being involved with a match fixing syndicate. It has been reported in the media that Sharjeel and Latif “entered a deal of Rs400,000- to Rs500,000 per match and that the players met bookies at a fast food restaurant near the stadium.”

Sethi further said that no player, apart from Latif and Sharjeel, would be suspended from the League provided there was no “new cause for action”. “Failure to promptly report any attempt to corrupt and subvert PSL will be cause for action,” he said. “Players should relax, play the game and bring joy to millions of fans at home and abroad,” he added.

Like Sharjeel and Latif, fast bowler Irfan, 34, also plays for the defending champions Islamabad United in the PSL, while left-arm spinner Zulfiqar, 38, represents Quetta Gladiators and Shahzaib, 27, plays for Karachi Kings. The trio are all experienced domestic cricketers and have represented Pakistan. Irfan has played four Tests, 60 ODIs and 20 T20Is for his country, Zulfiqar 15 Tests, five ODIs and seven T20Is, while Shahzaib has played three ODIs and ten T20Is. Shahzaib’s questioning, according to his team Karachi Kings, was the result of his reporting an approach to the PCB. Sources privy to the information said that Shahzaib got a suspicious phone call from a man who allegedly asked to meet him in the hotel lobby. Mindful of the code of conduct, Shahzaib immediately told PCB officials about the exchange. The sources maintained that it was on Shahzaib’s tip-off that the action was taken. The sources further said after Zulfiqar’s name came up in speculation surrounding the developments, Quetta Gladiators volunteered him for questioning in a bid to clear his name.

Sethi 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 added that the PSL management was working with the anti-corruption units of the PCB and International Cricket Council (ICC) to root out corruption. While talking to the media on Saturday, regarding the allegations against his son Sharjeel’s father said “Sharjeel has done nothing wrong, this allegation is a misunderstanding.” “When the PCB investigates the matter further, it will see that Sharjeel is not to blame. I have full faith in God and know that he will be cleared of all charges,” he added.

Pakistan cricket has been rocked by fixing scandals over the past several years. Former captain Salim Malik and Ataur Rehman were banned for life after an investigation in 2000. Malik was punished for offering Australian trio Shane Warne, Tim May and Mark Waugh a bribe to underperform during their visit to Pakistan in 1995. In 2010 then Test captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif were jailed and banned for five years for spot-fixing while leg-spinner Danish Kaneria was banned for life in a spot-fixing case in 2012. The suspension is likely to end Sharjeel’s contract with English county side Leicestershire to play the T20 Blast tournament later this year.