Foxes' signing Suspended

Two players to again face questioning in PSL investigation.

Umar Farooq.

Cricinfo.

Saturday, 11 March 2017.

PTG 2072-10491.

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Irfan and batsman Shahzaib Hasan have been summoned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in relation to their investigation into alleged corruption in the recent Pakistan Super League (PSL) series. Both men were called in for questioning by the PCB’s anti-corruption unit in Dubai last month but were cleared to continue playing in the tournament. Now, a PCB spokesman said, they face the possibility of being charged. 

Two cricketers - Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif - have already been charged by the PCB for various code-of-conduct breaches, including attempting to corrupt a cricket match (PTG 2054-10401, 20 February 2017). They are currently provisionally suspended and a three-member tribunal has been set up to hear their cases next week in Lahore. 

Irfan and Shahzaib had previously come forward to report approaches made on them at the PSL. They have now been recalled so that the anti-corruption unit can vet their stories. "PCB has initiated the investigation from the lead left in Dubai”, a spokesman told reporters at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. 

"It has started with both [Shahzaib and Irfan] being issued a demand note and by that both are bound to share all the information [they have] with the PCB's anti-corruption unit". "Irfan has been summoned to appear on Monday while Shahzaib asked to appear on Tuesday. The PCB anti-corruption unit will assess their evidence and information and will determine whether to charge them or not”.

Amid the ongoing investigation, Irfan has not been selected in a pool of 31 players to undergo a training camp ahead of the West Indies tour. Shahzaib, however, has not been in contention for a place in the national team since 2010, when he played the last of his three One Day Internationals and 10 Twenty20 Internationals. 

Another suspect arrested as PSL corruption probe continues.

PTG Editor.

Media reports.

Friday, 24 February 2017.

PTG 2059-10425.

British police announced on Thursday that they had arrested a third suspect in connection with their investigation into Pakistan Super League (PSL) spot-fixing issues.  A statement issued by the National Crime Agency (NCA) said officers had arrested a British man in his thirties that morning in the Sheffield area as as part of its investigation into spot-fixing in cricket matches.  The suspect was granted bail pending further inquiries.

Earlier this month British police arrested two men in relation to the same issue and they were also bailed until April (PTG 2054-10401, 20 February 2017). It followed news of a corruption probe involving PSL players, the NCA saying then said they were “working closely” with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and International Cricket Council’s anti-corruption units.  Islamabad United batsmen Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif face the prospect of lengthy bans from cricket after the PCB charged them for alleged breaches of its anti-corruption code on Saturday (PTG 2054-10401, 20 February 2017).  

11/02/17

Sharjeel Khan, the Pakistan batsman who is due to play for Leicestershire in this summer’s Natwest T20 Blast, has been suspended by his home board as part of an investigation into match-fixing in the Pakistan Super League.

Sharjeel, who has been playing for Islamabad United in the competition alongside England’s Steven Finn, Sam Billings and Ben Duckett, has been sent home from the UAE, where the tournament is taking place. The 27-year-old, who has played more than 40 international matches, is due to be one of Leicestershire’s two overseas players for this summer’s T20 Blast but the county told The Times that they will not be making any statement on the matter while the investigation is live.

Khalid Latif, Khan’s Pakistan and Islamabad team-mate, has also been suspended as part of the same investigation. The pair opened the batting at Old Trafford last September in Pakistan’s T20 victory against England.

Third player suspension, Lahore bombing, add to PSL challenges.
PTG Editor.

Media reports.

Tuesday, 14 February 2017.

PTG 2048-10375.

A third player has been provisionally suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board for violating its anti-corruption code as the investigation into whether an international syndicate has attempted to influence Pakistan Super League (PSL) games continues. Nasir Jamshed, who has represented Pakistan in two Tests, 48 One Day Internationals and 18 Twenty20s Internationals, joins Pakistan batsmen Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latin who were stood down and sent home from the PSL on Friday (PTG 2047-10373, 13 February 2017).  Three others players have been questioned, however, they continue to play in the on-going PSL.