PSL spot-fixing row: PCB suspends Mohammad Irfan

Karachi [Pakistan], Mar. 14 (ANI): Left-arm pacer Mohammad Irfan has been suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following the investigations into the spot-fixing allegations in the second edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The left-arm pacer appeared before the PCB Anti-Corruption Unit in Lahore on Monday to answer allegation of him not reporting to the unit incident in which a bookie made a contact with him during the PSL, reports the Dawn. It was reported that Irfan, the world's tallest fast bowler, took the stance that he could not report to the unit because he was upset due to the death of his parents, who passed away one after other in a space of one year. Irfan, who was on Tuesday suspended and charge-sheeted over his alleged connections with bookies, has been given 14 days by the PCB to submit his reply. "The Pakistan Cricket Board in furtherance to its investigation into potential corrupt practices has today issued a Notice of Charge to Mohammad Irfan under the PCB Anti-Corruption Code," the board said in a media release. "Irfan has been charged with two violations of Code Article 2.4.4 and now has 14 days to respond to the Notice of Charge. He has also been provisionally suspended with immediate effect from participating in all forms of cricket," the release stated. 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 in the second edition of the PSL. The duo was 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 pair responded to the official charges laid against them on Saturday. 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 British Police have arrested three suspects in connection with the case including discarded Pakistan opener Nasir Jamshed, who was released on bail. (ANI)