Daily Times

LAHORE: Former Australian cricketer Dean Jones on Wednesday testified before the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) anti-corruption tribunal hearing Pakistan Super League (PSL) II spot-fixing charges against Sharjeel Khan, saying two dot balls played by the opener during a PSL match were not suspicious from a cricketing perspective. Jones, who is Islamabad United’s coach, gave his testimony through video call. Spot-fixing involves attempting to determine the outcome of a specific part of a match rather than the overall result, and is therefore harder to detect than match-fixing. The allegation relates to a match played between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi held in Dubai in February, in which Sharjeel scored a single off four deliveries including two dots (balls which result in no runs). The PCB has accused him of agreeing to a spot-fixing plan and of failing to report offers to fix, charges which carry a ban ranging from five years to life if found guilty. But Sharjeel has denied involvement in any corrupt activity.

The PCB argued that he played the dots deliberately as part of a corrupt plan. Three Pakistan cricketers are facing separate hearings in front of the tribunal as the PCB investigates alleged corruption during the PSL, Along with Sharjeel, Khalid Latif and Shahzaib Hasan are also facing charges for a number of breaches of the PCB anti-corruption code. Mohammad Irfan and Mohammad Nawaz have already been punished while Nasir Jamshed also faces charges, though his hearing has not yet begun.

Sharjeel’s lawyer Shaigan Aijaz, who is representing him at a closed-door tribunal, told reporters after the hearing: “Jones has told the tribunal that Sharjeel played dot balls on merit and that he has no reservations about Sharjeel’s shot selection. Sharjeel played four balls in his innings and all four he played were on merit.” The first of the two balls in question was punched to cover point, while the second was driven to mid-off. A second lawyer familiar with the proceedings confirmed Jones’ testimony, adding that the former Australia star told the tribunal Sharjeel was naturally weaker on his offside and less likely to score in that zone. Sharjeel’s lawyer said Jones wasn’t a layman and not only was he the Islamabad United coach but a respected figure in world cricket. “He is also a commentator who has worked throughout the world and seen a lot of cricket and we believe that his opinion does matter.” Sharjeel is expected to present another witness on Thursday (today).

A lawyer for the PCB said that Jones said he could not speak to whether any of his players had been approached by bookmakers. “Jones said that he would be upset if he knows that his players were involved and that players are briefed about fixing through lectures,” the PCB lawyer added.

The hearing against Sharjeel’s team-mate and fellow opener Khalid Latif continued on Wednesday as well. And as has been the case since Saturday, neither Latif nor his lawyer chose to attend the hearing. The PCB has sent responses to Latif on the various concerns he has expressed – about the composition of the tribunal as well as wanting video from the first day of the hearing. The tribunal has asked him to appear on May 29.