Sharjeel, Latif admitted meeting with bookie, Shahryar tells Senators

Pakistan opening batsmen Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif, who were provisionally suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over their alleged involvement in spot fixing during the Pakistan Super League (PSL), have accepted that they met with the bookie, Pakistans cricketing chief Shahryar Khan said on Friday.

Speaking to the media after briefing the Senates standing committee on sports, PCB Chairman Shahryar Khan said both batsmen, who were representing the Islamabad United in PSLs second edition, have accepted their mistake after their charge sheets were submitted to them.

Sharjeel and Khalid have acknowledged that they were in communication with a bookie, said Shahryar. However, the statements provided by both players varied, he said.

Shahryar informed that bookie named Yousuf contacted the duo through former Pakistan opener Nasir Jamshed, both bookie and Jamshed came to Dubai from London.

Bookies contacted two players through former player Nasir Jamshed They wanted to target three players Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif and Mohammad Irfan, he said.

Shahryar further informed that the investigation is being carried out against fast bowler Muhammad Irfan. He added that if the players are found involved in any form of corruption they could face a ban for life from cricket.

If they are found guilty of doing any form of corruption, the board can now ban them for life; not just five years.

Talking about the spot-fixing issues which grappled the cricketing world, Shahryar said that the investigation would be completed within 14 days. He said that the players were told to remain beware of the bookies, and were briefed both in English and Urdu on this issue.

Sahrjeel Khan and Khalid Latif were provisionally suspended by the PCBs Anti Corruption Unit during the ongoing PSL and were sent home from the United Arab Emirates.

Both Sharjeel and Latif play for Islamabad United in the PSL, which is being played in UAE due to security concerns in Pakistan. However, the final of the tournament is scheduled to be played in Lahore.