Zulfiqar Babar and Shahzaib cleared by PCB, Mohammad Irfan still under the heat

The second edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) kicked off a couple of days ago amidst so much of excitement and anticipation. However, despite all the hype created for the entertainment quotient, the tournament has managed to only make news for the wrong reasons. The league was jolted by the spot-fixing scandal. This is not the first time that the Pakistan Cricket has seen itself embroiled in this fiasco. Back in 2010, three of the top national players were involved in the spot-fixing scandal during the England tour.

In a recent turn of events, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suspended batsman Nasir Jamshed from all forms of the game. Prior to Jamshed, Pakistan internationals Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif were sent back home for their alleged involvement in spot-fixing and according to reports, PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan had stated that they have strong evidence against the southpaw. Soon after them, another set of players were also heavily interrogated. Mohammad Irfan, Zulfiqar Babar and Shahzaib Hasan were the three players in the fray.

As per the recent reports in Sportzwiki, Zulfiqar Babar of Quetta Gladiators and Shahzaib Hasan of Karachi Kings have been cleared of all charges and they can continue to play in the league. However, pace bowler Mohammad Irfan continues to be grilled with questions by the interrogators. The PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan confirmed the same as he quoted, “Shahzaib and Zulfiqar are cleared. However, Irfan is still under investigation.”

Irfan is playing his trade for Islamabad United in the league. The PCB chairman further mentioned that all decisions pertaining to the PSL this year are made solely by the board. They are keeping the ICC informed though. He commended the efforts of the ACU (Anti-Corruption Unit). He noted that the tournament holds great importance for cricket in the country and hence the ones tarnishing the image will be penalised.

Also read – PCB bans Nasir Jamshed from all forms of the game

“The PCB gives a lot of importance to the PSL. The whole nation is interested in it. More than that, this edition is important because the final will be held in Pakistan. So, we will not allow anyone to taint it,” Shaharyar Khan said.

“The leading role in this case was of PCB’s ACU. Their initiative is appreciable and this time we will be handling everything, including the players’ punishments and the legal proceedings. However, the ICC is being kept informed of all updates on the matter,” Shaharyar added further.

The suspended players, Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif, have been sent show cause notices. Mohammad Irfan has not been given any such notice yet. “Show-cause notices have been sent to Sharjeel and Khalid so that they can submit their replies. However, no such notice will be served to Irfan until the investigation is completed,” the PCB chairman noted.