PSL spot-fixing case: PCB will accept any verdict against Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, says chairman Shahryar Khan

Karachi: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shahryar Khan has insisted that the board will not have any objection to any verdict that comes against Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif in the ongoing inquiry in connection with the spot-fixing scandal in the second edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The outgoing PCB chief pledged that the PCB will accept whatever decision comes out from the three-member tribunal against Sharjeel and Khalid.

"If they are proven guilty then they`ll be duly punished as per rules for bringing the game into disrepute. But if they come out clean then the PCB would accept the decision of the tribunal and will not contest the verdict," the Dawn quoted Shahryar as saying."So let us wait and see what happens since the inquiry is in the initial stages. I hope that it ends soon enough so that the nation will know whether they are guilty or innocent," he added.

The PCB had last month imposed a year-long ban and a fine of one million dollar on left-arm pacer Mohammad Irfan for violating its anti-corruption code during the PSL which took place in early March.Irfan`s central contract had also been suspended by the PCB. As a result, he would be offered no more contracts during the first six month of the ban.

"One player - Mohammad Irfan - has accepted his guilt in not reporting an approach [from the bookies] to the PCB anti-corruption unit and, as a consequence, has been banned for a year besides getting heavily fined," said the PCB chief. Shahryar​ further maintained that both Sharjeel and Khalid, who have denied their involvement in the scandal, have the right to present their case with their lawyers in front of the tribunal.

The 83-year-old further said that it would probably take another five to six weeks before the inquiry is completed. Besides Irfan, four other players namely Sharjeel, Khalif, Shahzaib Hasan and Nasir Jamshed were also suspended for their alleged involvement in the infamous spot-fixing scandal during the first week of the PSL.