PSL 2017

Sharjeel, Latif admit to meeting bookmaker

by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on

Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif have been suspended by the PCB. © Getty

Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif, who have been provisionally suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) under its anti-corruption code, have admitted to the breach of discipline, the Press Trust of India reported on Sunday (March 5). The duo, however, maintained they haven't been involved in spot-fixing in the recently-concluded Pakistan Super League.

The PCB had issued chargesheets to the players, and in reply, they admitted to meeting a bookmaker in Dubai. "They have accepted that they met a person in Dubai who later turned out to be a bookmaker," a PCB source told PTI. "They have also admitted that they breached discipline by not informing the team management about their meeting and offers made to them."

Sharjeel and Latif had 14 days to submit their replies to the notice handed by the PCB. Both players represented Islamabad United and were suspended after investigations by PCB, along with ICC's anti-corruption unit in PSL.

A three-member tribunal, formed by the PCB, will now hear the matter.

The second edition of the PSL was rocked by the corruption scandal soon after the commencement of the tournament on February 9. Following the opening day's match between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi, reports emerged that several players were allegedly approached by bookies. Sharjeel and Latif were both part of the Islamabad United franchise before being asked to leave, following the charges of corruption.

Reports claimed that Sharjeel and Latif were approached by a person who belonged to a betting syndicate and the anti-corruption unit, which was aware of same, waited till the first match of the PSL to see if the duo stayed true to their commitment. While Latif did not play in the opening match, Sharjeel, as per his alleged agreement with the fixers, was dismissed cheaply after facing a few deliveries, Najam Sethi, the PSL chairman had revealed.

Mohammad Irfan, Zulfiqar Babar and Shahzaib Hasan were the others names that cropped up after investigations by PCB's ACU, which has been working in tandem with the ICC's anti-corruption unit. Out-of-favour batsman Nasir Jamshed was another player who was suspended during the course of the investigation. It is claimed that Jamshed, who isn't part of any team in the PSL, acted as the mediator facilitating the corrupt practices.

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