Suspended Shahzaib Hasan set to challenge charges pressed on him

Pakistan batsman Shahzaib Hasan who has been out of favor for the national team since 2010 was back in the news when the Karachi cricketer was provisionally suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for his involvement in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) spot-fixing scandal. Holding a similar stance like the other players charged in the same case Shahzaib has chosen to challenge PCB’s decision.

He has been charged by the PCB’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) under multiple clauses of the Anti-Corruption Code for being in touch with bookies, luring other players for spot-fixing and for getting the players in touch with the bookies. But Shahzaib has said that his lawyer will file a substantial reply to the notice he has received.

The 27-year-old urged that he is innocent, he had on his own reached out to the board after he was approached by the bookies and has been wrongly framed in the case, he is willing to fight to prove his innocence. “I am innocent and I have done nothing wrong. I reported the offer made to me to the Board. I will fight this case,” Shahzaib was quoted in the Indian Express.

Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif the first two players to be investigated and suspended in the PSL spot-fixing case will also challenge the charges pressed against them. To ensure the players get their right to contest and prove their case PCB has set up a tribunal comprising of three members dedicated to hearing these cases. Former justice of the Lahore High Court, Asghar Haider is the head of the tribunal.

Along with these three, two other Pakistan international players Nasir Jamshed and fast bowler Muhammad Irfan have also been provisionally suspended. Their suspension is not just for the highest level but that prevents them from participating in cricket of any level until a final decision has been made in the case.