Dean Jones and Mohammad Yousuf to act as witness for Sharjeel Khan in spot-fixing scandal

Sharjeel Khan has been suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for his alleged participation in a spot-fixing scandal in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL). Ever since the tournament has concluded, as many as seven cricketers who took part in the league have been under questioning with Mohammad Irfan being already banned for playing any cricket for a year.

Sharjeel Khan has been alleged of not reporting an approach to fix a game and allegedly playing two dot balls on purpose in exchange for money. He, though, has stood up for not participating in any such practices. Fellow Pakistan teammate Mohammad Nawaz has also been handed a two-month ban for not reporting a similar approach by a bookie.

Recently, Sharjeel Khan’s lawyer Shaigan Ijaz has revealed that Islamabad United’s coach Dean Jones, the franchise Sharjeel played for in the PSL, and former Test cricketers Mohammad Yousuf and Sadiq Mohammad will be presented as ‘expert witness’ for the matter in front of the Anti-Corruption Tribunal probing the scandal on May 24.

Double policy of PCB

Shaigan is of the opinion that the PCB are following a double policy of being very harsh for a specific set of players and the opposite for a few players. “PCB made up a story and is trying to back it up with witnesses. Board is being lenient with some players, while it is acting strictly against others,” the Express Tribune quoted Shaigan as saying.

PCB’s attorney Tafazzul Rizvi said that Shaigan can disagree with their witnesses and the truth will be revealed only when the final decision comes out.

PCB wanted to present Ronnie Flanagan, the ICC Anti-corruption Unit Chief, as their witness but the latter raised a red flag by saying that the ICC has nothing to do with the ongoing case as it is the PCB’s exclusive matter.

“This is PCB’s case to deal with. The case is being heard professionally and it shows that PCB wants to eliminate corruption from the game of cricket,” Flanagan said.

Sharjeel along with PSL teammate Khalid Latif were summoned by the PCB to record a statement on February 18 on their alleged involvement in the spot-fixing scandal which had occurred in the second edition of the PSL.

On March 6, a three-member tribunal was formed by the PCB to investigate the matter which later suspended the duo until the investigation process is complete.