With Pakistan cricket once again in spotlight due to bad reasons after the recent fixing scandal in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL), Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan has said players found guilty in match-fixing will be banned for life.
Pakistan internationals Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif, who are the prime suspects in the scandal, were sent home just a day after the league started on February 9. Later, they were handed chargesheets by the PCB after denying involvement in spot-fixing. The duo is expected to hand in their written replies to chargesheets within the next week.
Meanwhile, the PCB chief revealed the bookies contacted the players through former Pakistan opener 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.
Shaharyar further said the investigation into the ongoing spot-fixing row will be over within the next 14 days. He also said the decision to hold the PSL final in Lahore depends on the Pakistan government.
The PCB has been adamant to host the final in Lahore. However, the latest terrorist attacks in the city have cast a huge doubt over their plans.
“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 concluded.