PSL fixing row: Players to face life bans if found guilty, says PCB chief

Karachi [Pakistan], Feb.24 (ANI): Issuing a stern statement, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan has said that the players found guilty in the recent match fixing scandal in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) will be handed over life bans. Throwing light on the PSL spot-fixing scandal, Shaharyar revealed that the bookies target three players and then contacted them through former opening batsman Nasir Jamshed. "Bookies contacted two players through former player Nasir Jamshed. They wanted to target three players - Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif and Mohammad Irfan," the Express Tribune quoted Shaharyar as saying. "If they are found guilty of doing any form of corruption, the board can now ban them for life; not just five years," he added. The PCB chief further assured that the investigation into the ongoing spot-fixing row will probably be completed in two weeks before adding that it is now up to the Pakistan government to decide whether they want to hold the PSL final in Lahore. "The investigation is ongoing and it should be completed within the next 14 days. It is up to the government to decide whether the PSL final will be held in Lahore or not," he added. Sharjeel and Latif were suspended by the PCB under its Anti-Corruption Code, as part of an ongoing investigation into an international syndicate which is believed to be attempting to corrupt the ongoing PSL being played in Dubai. Both the cricketers, who play for Islamabad United franchise in the PSL, formally recorded their statements on February 18 before the anti-corruption unit of the cricket board. The pair is expected to hand in their written replies to PCB's charge-sheet within the next week. As per media reports, both the cricketers have denied the match fixing charges but have admitted to meeting the alleged fixer on the recommendation of a former Pakistani Test player. According to the PCB officials who are looking into the matter, the suspended players are expected to receive a minimum ban of one year for the breach of PCB's Anti-Corruption Code even if any fixing charges are not proven against them. Sharjeel, who made his Test debut against Australia in Sydney last month, has played 25 ODIs and 15 T20s. Latif has represented Pakistan in five ODIs and 13 T20s. (ANI)