Have proof against both suspended players: PCB Chairman

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan said on Friday that the cricket board has proof against both suspended players, Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif.

Speaking to media personnel, Shaharyar Khan said that ICC and British courts had shown leniency with regard to match fixing but PCB would not. He said that proofs had been obtained regarding Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif, the Islamabad United duo who were suspended for allegedly meeting with suspicious persons said to be bookies, in their hotel rooms. 

Shaharyar said that proof against both cricketers had been obtained.

"Proof against other cricketers have not been gathered completely, as of yet," said Shaharyar. "Players found guilty of match-fixing will be given exemplary punishments."

Earlier, Pakistan Super League Chairman Najam Sethi had stated that owing to the success of the Pakistani cricket league, many bookies had been attracted to it and the board was aware of their presence.

"We will protect this league, the league that belongs to Pakistan come hell or high water," Najam Sethi had said.

 

— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) February 10, 2017

Pakistan cricket’s worst nightmare came true on Friday when the country’s T20 league — the HBL Pakistan Super League — was hit by a corruption scandal that has resulted in the suspension of two key Pakistani players.

Star Pakistan opener Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif — both representing defending champions Islamabad United — were provisionally suspended and sent back home from Dubai. The duo were suspended under Pakistan Cricket Board’s Anti-Corruption Code as part of an ongoing investigation into an international syndicate which is believed to be attempting to corrupt the PSL.