Sharjeel and Khalid were involved in spot-fixing: PCB Chairman

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan held a press conference on Monday and stated that all cricketers have been cleared of the PSL match-fixing allegations except for Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif and Mohammad Irfan. He further said that both suspended cricketers were involved in spot-fixing.

According to details, the PCB Chairman held a press conference and stated that show-cause notices had been sent to Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif. Shaharyar said that both cricketers will be given the chance to defend themselves against all allegations leveled against them.

"Sharjeel and Khalid returned home on the same flight with me. I embarrassed them a lot. Told them they had embarrassed their families and the whole nation," said the PCB Chairman.

He said that an investigation was being conducted against fast bowler Mohammad Irfan, who will be issued a show-cause notice in a day or two.

"The rest of the cricketers have been cleared," he said. "There are no allegations against Shahzaib or Zulfiqar," he added.

Shaharyar Khan gave credit to the PCB's Anti-Corruption wing and said that it was they who had a leading role in the entire episode. He said that information had been shared with the ICC with regard to the fixing controversy. Shaharyar Khan further stated that after investigations were completed, a Disciplinary Committee headed by a judge would be formed to hear the players' point of view. 

"As soon as our Anti-Corruption Wing got to know about the entire episode, it took action," he said. "Everything is in our hands. We will decide the case and we will hand out the punishments," added Shaharyar Khan.

Shaharyar Khan said that no one should be under the wrong impression that they could continue to play cricket after being found guilty of fixing, two-four years later.

Shaharyar said that there was a bilateral contract with India, according to which cricket will be played between the two counties. Shaharyar Khan claimed that Pakistan was suffering a loss of $20 million since India was refusing to play Pakistan. The PCB Chairman said that the new head of the BCCI stated that their hands were tied since the Indian government forbade their team to play against Pakistan.

Shaharyar Khan also spoke about the final of the Pakistan Super League to be played in Lahore.

"It is a matter of prestige for Pakistan that the PSL final be played in Lahore," he said. "The PSL final will be the first step towards the return of international cricket in Pakistan," he added.