PCB Will Act Strictly Against Match-Fixers: Shaharyar Khan
Feb 13, 2017 at 11:55 AM
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan has vowed to give stern punishment to culprits who are involved in match-fixing or spot-fixing, after betting scandal surfaced during the second edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“The investigation will continue as more players could be grilled as some have reported to the PCB anti-corruption unit about bookies contacting them but some haven’t reported which is also a crime,” Shahryar was quoted as saying by Dawn.com.
The Octogenarian Shaharyar revealed the matter is being investigated and the commission will be framed to announce the punishment as several players might be questioned following the involvement of Islamabad United players Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif to corrupt the lucrative PSL.
“We followed ICC’s rules and regulations in allowing Amir back but this time around, we will strictly penalize anyone caught,” Shaharyar revealed.
Sharjeel and Latif were sent home after both were caught in a raid while holding the meeting with international syndicate to malign their Twenty20 League PSL.
“We were expecting the arrival of the bookies in Dubai [for the PSL] and made strict arrangements and before the opening match [between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi], a detailed briefing was given to both teams and officials about corrupt practices and its consequences,” Shaharyar said.
According to a report, both cricketers have confessed their links with bookies to corrupt the matches in the UAE.
Coming down hard at the PCB, the reports also revealed the board is allowing colleagues and relatives to stay in the same hotel where franchises of PSL and official members are staying during the ongoing cash-rich league.
“I’m not in the position at this time to give exact number of the cricketers involved but once the investigation is completed, a powerful commission will be formed to give exemplary punishments to the culprits,” Shaharyar remarked.
Showing a great cause of concern, Shaharyar revealed he is closely monitoring the PSL and is discussing the matter with chairman Najam Sethi.
Shaharyar also expressed the board’s Anti-Corruption Unit is putting all their efforts to disclose the perpetrators.
“At the moment, Sethi has told me that there’s no further suspension in the offing and the PCB anti-corruption unit is making all out efforts to unveil the culprits,” he said.
However, the cricket followers have criticized the PCB for giving leniency to spot-fixers, which include fast-bowler Mohammad Amir, who made his international return last year against New Zealand after serving the five-year ban following the infamous Lord’s Test incident in 2010.