Khalid likely to be banned, fined in PSL spot-fixing case

Lahore [Pakistan], Sept 19 (ANI): Tainted batsman Khalid Latif is likely to be slapped with a ban as well as a fine when the Pakistan Cricket Board's anti-corruption tribunal will announce its short verdict in his suspected involvement in the spot-fixing scandal in the second edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

According to a PCB official, the tribunal had issued the order about announcement of the decision.

And it is expected that the board's anti-corruption department is expected to announce a strict punishment for the 31-year-old player as he is being considered as one of the main culprits in the case.

"Khalid is facing six charges, which is the maximum in number when compared with three other cricketers named in the case. Therefore, [it is likely that] there will be no leniency for him and he will also be fined besides being banned for seven, eight years," the Dawn quoted PCB official as saying.

Latif was accused of attempting to spot-fix, accepting an offer by a bookmaker which he did not report on time, and luring other players to take part in fixing.

Earlier on March 6, a three-member tribunal was formed by the PCB to investigate the spot-fixing case allegedly involving Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif . The duo was already suspended by the PCB under its Anti-Corruption Code, as part of an ongoing investigation into an international syndicate which was believed to corrupt the second edition of the PSL.

The PCB official said that though Sharjeel was not fined, the chances of Latif being penalised is high as he is facing six charges.

"Sharjeel was not fined but the case of Khalid is totally different as he is facing six charges, including that of persuading other cricketers to engage in spot-fixing," the official said.

Sharjeel was the first player to be banned for five years in this spot-fixing case last month.

However, half of the ban was suspended by the three member anti-corruption tribunal of the PCB, based on circumstantial evidence.

Four other players, including , Mohammad Irfan, Nasir Jamshed , Shahzaib Hasan and Mohammad Nawaz are also under investigation by the PCB tribunal and have also been provisionally suspended.(ANI)