PSL spot-fixing row: Sharjeel Khan appears before PCB tribunal

Karachi: Discarded batsman Sharjeel Khan has appeared before the Pakistan Cricket Board`s (PCB) Anti-Corruption Tribunal (ACT) at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) as part of the ongoing investigation into the Pakistan Super League (PSL) spot-fixing scandal.

The preliminary hearing of the case is being carried out by Justice (Retd.) Asghar Haidar whereas former PCB chairman Touqeer Zia, Waseem Bari, General Manager Legal Affairs PCB Salman Naseer, the Head of PCB`s Vigilance and Security Department Colonel Mohammad Azam, PCB`s legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi and Advocate Haider Ali Khan are also part of the tribunal.

Counsel for PCB read out the charges leveled against Sharjeel Khan which included breaching of Articles 2.1.1; 2.1.2; 2.1.3; 2.1.4; 2.4.4 and 2.4.5 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code for Participants 2015, the Dawn reported.

The tribunal, in consultation with both the parties, agreed upon the procedure and timelines to be adopted as per the Anti-Corruption Code. The PCB will submit its opening brief explaining its claims along with the evidence on April 14.

Meanwhile, the tribunal also asked Sharjeel to submit his reply on his alleged involvement in spot fixing case till May 5, following which the country`s cricket board would file a rebuttal by May 10.

Khalid Latif, another accused in the spot-fixing scandal, did not manage to make an appearance at the hearing citing health reasons. He has now been asked to appear before the tribunal on March 31.

Earlier, Islamabad United pair of Khalid Latif and Sharjeel were suspended by the PCB for their alleged involvement in the infamous spot-fixing scandal during the first week of the PSL.

Later, three more players namely Mohammad Irfan, Shahzeb Hasan and Nasir Jamshed were also suspended following further investigation.