PCB suspends Islamabad United duo for corruption

Batsmen Khalid Latif and Sharjeel Khan have been provisionally suspended under anti-Corruption code

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has provisionally suspended Islamabad United batsmen Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif as part of an undergoing investigation against corruption during the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The league chairman Najam Sethi, in a statement issued by the PCB, said that the investigation is a clear example of the board’s commitment to drive corruption out of the sport.

“It would not be appropriate to comment on the specifics of this case,” said Sethi. “However, this investigation is a clear demonstration of our determination to drive corruption out of our sport.”

“We will not tolerate any form of corrupt activity and as this investigation proceeds we will not hesitate to take further decisive action as appropriate. The investigation of the PCB Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) is backed by the ICC ACU, who has been effective in dealing with this case to date and we will continue to work in the closest collaboration as the investigation proceeds.”

Meanwhile, PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan also commented on the development and said that it’s the player’s duty to inform the authorities regarding any suspicious approach.

“I must remind all the players of their responsibilities in the fight against corruption,” he said. “They must understand that if they even think they may have been the subject of a suspicious approach, it is their obligation under the PCB Anti-Corruption Code to report it to the authorities.

“Under no circumstances will the PCB condone actions of a few individuals to bring disrepute to the game of cricket or taint the image of Pakistan.”

Chairman PCB Shaharyar Khan said, “I must remind all players of their responsibilities in the fight against corruption. They must understand that if they even think they may have been the subject of a suspicious approach, it is their obligation under the PCB Anti-Corruption Code to report it to an appropriate anti-corruption official as a matter of urgency.”

“Under no circumstances will the PCB condone actions of a few individuals to bring disrepute to the game of cricket or taint the image of Pakistan.”

The PCB and the ICC will not make any further comment in respect of ongoing investigation