Daily Times

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday provisionally suspended two players – Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif – under its Anti-Corruption Code as part of an ongoing investigation into an international syndicate which is believed to be attempting to corrupt the Pakistan Super League (PSL) which is being played in Dubai. The duo were part of the Islamabad United franchise. “Sharjeel and Khalid have been suspended and the rigorous and wide-ranging investigation by the PCB supported by the ICC will continue as part of collective efforts to protect the integrity of the sport,” said a spokesman for the PCB. The duo will not take further part in the ongoing T20 tournament and will head back to Pakistan. 27-year-old Sharjeel was part of the Pakistan national team that recently toured Australia while Khalid, 31, last featured for Pakistan in the World T20 2016 in India. No further details were released but the pair were thought to be linked to spot-fixing, an illegal betting practice rife in Pakistan cricket in recent years. Sharjeel has played 25 one-day internationals and 15 Twenty20s. Latif has played five one-day internationals and 13 Twenty20s.

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 banned for five years for spot-fixing while leg-spinner Danish Kaneria was banned for life in a spot-fixing case in 2012.

“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. We are all absolutely committed to relentlessly pursuing anyone who would seek to damage the integrity of our sport,” added the PCB spokesman. PSL chairman Najam Sethi said 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 our sport,” he added. Sethi said the PCB would not tolerate any form of corrupt activity. “And as this investigation proceeds we will not hesitate to take further decisive action as appropriate.”

The Islamabad franchise also issued a statement yesterday saying they would begin looking for replacements. “We are understandably disappointed at this development but emphasise on our commitment to a zero-tolerance policy towards any violations of the rules or stated guidelines,” the franchise said. “We will be looking to find replacements for the squad as soon as possible.” Both batsmen did well for Islamabad in the 2016 PSL, scoring more than 200 runs. While Sharjeel finished as the third-highest run-scorer overall, with 299 runs in 11 matches, Latif struck 206 runs. The pair then made their returns to the Pakistan side during the 2016 Asia Cup and the World T20 respectively. While commenting on the matter, PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said: “I must remind all players of their responsibilities in the fight against corruption. They must understand that if they even think they may have been the subject of a suspicious approach, it is their obligation under the PCB Anti-Corruption Code to report it to an appropriate anti-corruption official as a matter of urgency. Under no circumstances will the PCB condone actions of a few individuals to bring disrepute to the game of cricket or taint the image of Pakistan,” he stated.