A day after Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif formally recorded their statements before the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Anti-Corruption Unit, the cricket board issued charge-sheets to the duo in relation to corruption in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL).
The charge sheet was issued to both the suspects after they pleaded not guilty and denied any role in spot-fixing during the Pakistan Super League. The PCB had sent both the players back home following their alleged involvement in spot-fixing and were provisionally suspended.
PCB’s media manager Amjad Hussain Bhatti said the players have 14 days to submit their replies. If they deny the charges, a trail court, chaired by a former judge with the representation of one former player, will hear the matter while if they are found guilty, the PCB is expected to form a disciplinary committee for further actions.
“If they plead not guilty the board will form a three member tribunal under a Judge to hold proceedings. But if they accept charges a disciplinary commission will be formed to decide on their future,” Bhatti said.
“The players have been given 14 days to submit their response. All the things have been written in the charge sheet and will be revealed once the process is complete. We can’t reveal the details at the moment,” he added
Bhatti further said the PCB has a zero tolerance policy towards corrupt practices as they are desperately trying to eradicate the menace from the game. He also said the ACU is continuing investigations into any questionable activity by any player or coaching staff.
Meanwhile, a PCB statement stated that:
“Sharjeel Khan has been charged with violation of Code Articles 2.1.1; 2.1.2; 2.1.3; 2.4.4; and 2.4.5 and Khalid Latif has been charged with violation of Code Articles 2.1.1; 2.1.2; 2.1.3; 2.1.4; 2.4.4; and 2.4.5.”
Clause 2.1.1 states that: “Fixing or contriving in any way or otherwise influencing improperly, or being a party to any agreement or effort to fix or contrive in any way or otherwise influence improperly, the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of any Domestic Match, including (without limitation) by deliberately under-performing therein.”
Clause 2.1.2 states: “Ensuring for Betting or other corrupt purposes the occurrence of a particular incident in a Domestic Match.”
Clause 2.1.3 states with: “Seeking, accepting, offering or agreeing to accept any bribe or other Reward to (a) fix or to contrive in any way or otherwise to influence improperly the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of any Domestic Match or (b) ensure for Betting or other corrupt purposes the occurrence of a particular incident in a Domestic Match.”
The duo has also also been charged with the violation of codes 2.4.4 and 2.4.5.
Clause 2.4.4 states: “Failing to disclose to the PCB Vigilance and Security Department (without unnecessary delay) full details of any approaches or invitations received by the Participant to engage in Corrupt Conduct under this Anti-Corruption Code.”
Clause 2.4.5 states that: “Failing or refusing to disclose to the PCB Vigilance and Security Department (without unnecessary delay) full details of any incident, fact, or matter that comes to the attention of a Participant that may evidence Corrupt Conduct under this Anti-Corruption Code by another Participant, including (without limitation) approaches or invitations that have been received by another Participant to engage in conduct that would amount to a breach of this Anti-Corruption Code.”
Latif has also been charged under clause 2.1.4, which states: “Directly or indirectly soliciting, inducing, enticing, instructing, persuading, encouraging or intentionally facilitating any Participant to breach any of the foregoing provisions of this Article 2.1.”