By Muhammad Luqman
Pakistan Cricket Board’s spot-fixing tribunal has slapped a five-year ban on opening batsman Sharjeel Khan for spot fixing in PSL 2017 matches.
In an interim order, it was stated that for next two and a half years Khan will not be allowed to play domestic and international cricket, and for the rest of the years, the board authorities will put him under a close observation.
On violation of five clauses, a charge sheet against the opening batsman was given on Feb 18. The hearing of Khan’s case started on March 24.
Earlier, 28 years cricketer hailing from Southern Pakistan city of Hyderabad did not plead guilty and denied his involvement in relation to allegations of spot-fixing during the Pakistan Super League 2017.
“I have not done anything wrong. Everything will get clear soon,” he said when approached by journalists.
When asked to elaborate, the suspended Islamabad United player said he has been forbidden by the Pakistan Cricket Board to speak to the media.
Sharjeel, along with Islamabad United teammate Khalid Latif, was provisionally suspended by the PCB during the opening week of the ongoing PSL following an initial inquiry into an alleged attempt by an international syndicate to corrupt Pakistan’s T20 tournament.
Both the players were formally charged by the PCB over alleged spot-fixing under its anti-corruption code last Friday. They were also presented with evidence of spot-fixing, PCB lawyer said.