Pakistan cracks down on cricketers ‘match-fixing’ during Dubai tournament

Pakistan’s cricket governing body is set to initiate strict action against two players accused of match-fixing during a tournament being played in Dubai.

According to a news report, Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif, who were suspended after reports surfaced of their alleged involvement in match-fixing in the ongoing T20 league in the UAE, may face a lifetime ban from cricket.

The report in the Daily Express, quoting sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), said the authorities have already recorded the confessional statements of both the players and will likely present a charge-sheet against them on Tuesday.

Under the Pakistan Anti-Corruption Code, failure to report match-fixing attempts may result in suspension for six months to life, while taking part in the offence can result in a ban for five years to life, the report said.

The sources said both the players have been accusing each other of wrongdoing after they were sent home from Dubai, where the second edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is being held.

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The T20 league was rocked on Friday when reports of Sharjeel and Khalid’s alleged involvement in match-fixing emerged. Both batsmen were “provisionally” suspended by the PCB and sent back to Pakistan. Sources at the time said the two players confessed to meeting bookies.

Three more players were questioned a day after although PSL and PCB Executive Committee Chairman Najam Sethi assured the board was not planning to suspend any other cricketers at the moment.

Sethi himself confirmed that left-arm fast-bowler Mohammad Irfan, left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar and opening batsmen Shahzaib Hassan were brought in for questioning on Saturday as part of an ongoing probe into attempts to corrupt PSL. According to the report, six players are thought to have been involved in the PSL match-fixing scandal and players from other franchises are also being investigated.