FIA summons players involved in PSL spot-fixing scandal

The four Pakistani cricketers involved in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) spot-fixing scandal---left-arm pacer Mohammad Irfan, discarded opener Nasir Jamshed, batsmen Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif---have been summoned by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to record their statements on March 20 and 21.

Irfan and Jamshed will be recording their statements before the FIA's investigators on March 20 while batsmen Sharjeel and Khalid have been asked to appear before FIA on March 21.

However, the FIA has not summoned Shahzaib Hassan, who is also among the suspected players.

A spokesman of the Interior Ministry, said that Shahzaib could be summoned later if does get accused for any foul play or contacts with the bookies.

Speaking to media on Thursday, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Pakistan Interior Minister said that spot-fixing case is not a matter of few players but a matter of respect of the country.

"Few people (accused players) can't be allowed to tarnish the image of the country," the Dawn quoted Khan as saying.

"This is a corruption case and FIA will reach all persons involved in this case."

"After inquiry, if corruption and match-fixing is proved, then FIA could register FIRs to send the accused to jail," he added.

Irfan was earlier this week suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following the investigations into the spot-fixing allegations in the second edition of the tournament.

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.

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.

Earlier, on March 6, a three-member tribunal was formed by the PCB to investigate the spot-fixing case allegedly involving Sharjeel and Khalid.

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.

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 Nasir, who was released on bail.