Muhammad Irfan still under investigation: PCB

Pakistan Cricket Board today said that left-arm pacer Muhammad Irfan still remained under investigation in the corruption scandal that hit Pakistan Super League second edition in Dubai last week.
PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan told a media briefing in Lahore that while evidence had been found against Pakistani batsmen Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif, which is why they were sent back immediately from the PSL, investigations were continuing against Irfan.
Sharjeel, Khalid and Irfan all represent Islamabad United side in the PSL. Islamabad did not field Irfan in their second match after the scandal broke out although he played in their first game in the PSL.

"Irfan is still under investigation and two or three days he might also be sent a show cause notice," Khan said.
He said two other players -- Zulfiqar Babar and Shahzaib Hasan -- who have also played for Pakistan had been cleared of any wrongdoing and could play in the PSL.
Khan said show cause notices had already been sent to Sharjeel and Khalid to explain their position.

"The PCB will be forming a disciplinary committee under the supervision of a retired judge which will conduct the disciplinary proceedings and inquiry in which the players and others will appear to give their statements," Khan said.

He made it clear that since PCB's Anti-Corruption Unit had uncovered these incidents of violation of PCB's Anti-Corruption Code, the Board's disciplinary committee will decide the punishment.
"This case is not like that happened in 2010 when Salman Butt, Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Aamir were punished by the ICC's Anti-Corruption Tribunal. In this case the PCB will supervise everything. But let me make it clear if any player thinks he can do corruption and come back after a few years ban he is wrong. This time we are going to set the right deterrent," the PCB chief said.
Khan said Sharjeel and Khalid had returned on the same flight from Dubai as him and they had wanted to talk to him.

"They approached me when we landed in Karachi but I told them that they had brought disgrace and shame on their families and Pakistan cricket and there was no reason for them to do this. I gave them a piece of my mind and they went away," he added.
He also explained that Sharjeel and Khalid were caught one day after the PCB's ACU had given all teams a complete briefing on anti-corruption procedures.
"Under our Code, accepting money to spot-fix is a big crime but even not reporting any approaches made to them by any player is also a serious offence," he said.

"Our people are very vigilant in PSL because we know international betting syndicates are eying the league and we expect the players to remain vigilant all the time. This incident has hurt PSL which is why we are very hurt, ashamed and angry with the actions of these players," he said.