PSL fixing row: Sharjeel, Latif record statements before PCB's anti-corruption unit

Islamabad United cricketers Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif have formally recorded their statements on the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) spot-fixing scam before the anti-corruption unit of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Khalid, who was slated to record his official statement on the scam on Friday morning, was unwell and, therefore, appeared before the unit late in the evening at PCB headquarters.

PCB media director Amjad Hussain Bhatti said that both the cricketers would be issued the chargesheet soon.

Amjad also clarified PCB's position, saying that the board's anti-corruption unit was working under a specific procedure, which would not give any room to the guilty to file an appeal before any legal court.

"The PCB will not leave any lacuna in the case which may help the cricketers to go to any court," the Dawn quoted Amjad, as saying.

Amjad further insisted that the notorious spot-fixing case was of high profile which could tarnish the image of otherwise successful PSL and, therefore, the PCB would not show any leniency towards guilty cricketers at any cost.

On February 9, the PCB had suspended Sharjeel and Khalid under its Anti-Corruption Code as part of an ongoing investigation into an international syndicate which is believed to be attempting to corrupt the Pakistan Super League (PSL) being played in Dubai.

Both Sharjeel and Latif play for defending champions Islamabad United in the fledgling PSL, the second season of which began in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) earlier this month.

Sharjeel, who made his Test debut against Australia in Sydney last month, has played 25 ODIs and 15 T20s. Latif has represented Pakistan in five ODIs and 13 T20s.