PCB reluctant to cooperate in PSL spot-fixing scandal: Interior Ministry sources

KARACHI: The Federal Investigation Agency has complained about reluctance shown by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for investigating the players allegedly involved in spot-fixing during Pakistan Super League 2017, well informed sources at the Interior Ministry said.

FIA has launched its own investigation into the corruption allegations emanating from the 2017 PSL. The interior ministry has also put players provisionally suspended by the PCB in relation to the case on exit control list, preventing them from leaving the country.

The decision to place names on the ECL was taken during a meeting chaired by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar and attended by the officials of PTA, FIA, and Nadra.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suspended five players after investigations revealed that they were in contact with bookies during the second edition of Pakistan Super League.

The minister said those who have defamed Pakistan would be brought to the book and directed the officials concerned for transparent investigations.

Initially, Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Lateef were suspended and sent back home when they were caught red-handed meeting with a bookie in a Dubai hotel during the PSL.

Later, Mohammad Irfan, Shahzaib Hasan and Nasir Jamshed were also probed and suspended on charges linked to spot-fixing and failure to report approaches by bookmakers during the league.

Meanwhile, Chairman PSL Najam Sethi said that the board never requested FIA to probe the case, adding that only a letter was sent to the FIA requesting verification of the mobile phone apps used by suspended players.

He added that the agency should stop its investigation until a decision from the PCB tribunal is announced.

Speaking in his show, Aapas ki baat at Geo News, the Chairman PSL said “after the decision, FIA have the prerogative to investigate if the players have broken any law of the country.”