Sharjeel Khan appears before PCB anti-corruption tribunal, informed of charges
March 24, 2017
LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board’s anti-corruption tribunal started hearing the spot-fixing case from Friday.
Suspended player Sharjeel Khan appeared before the tribunal earlier today. Khalid Latif, despite the notice, did not appear, citing health reasons. The tribunal has adjourned proceedings related to Latif to 11:30am on March 31.
The initial hearing of the tribunal was held today under Chairman Justice (retired) Asghar Haider.
The tribunal, in consultation with both parties, agreed upon the procedure and timelines to be adopted under the anti-corruption code.
Sharjeel’s lawyer informed that matters relating to the spot-fixing allegations and the defence would be dealt with later during the process.
The PCB, meanwhile, will submit its opening brief detailing its claims along with the evidence to be relied on by April 14. According to the PCB release, Sharjeel will be provided an opportunity to respond by May 5 and the PCB may, at its discretion, file a rebuttal by May 10. The final hearing will commence from May 15 on a day-to-day basis.
Sharjeel and Khalid Latif had challenged the charge sheet of the PCB. Both the players had admitted to having made contacts with bookies but denied accepting any monetary benefits from them.
FIR to be lodged after PCB inquiry
The PCB will send data to the FIA after a complete inquiry into the case involving five cricketers, namely Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, Shahzaib Hasan, Mohammad Irfan and Nasir Jamshed in the Pakistan Super League spot-fixing scandal.
The development came during a session of the PCB and FIA, held upon the direction of the Interior Ministry.
A case can only be registered against the involved cricketers after the PCB tribunal is done with the investigation. According to sources, the FIA will then initiate action depending upon the nature of the crime.
The FIA will also provide assistance regarding forensics and other matters for timely completion of tribunal’s inquiry.
The PCB and FIA on Wednesday reached consensus over probing the cricketers allegedly involved in spot-fixing in PSL 2017, informed sources.
