Pakistani cricketer Khalid Latif boycotts spot-fixing hearing

The Pakistani opener Khalid Latif, who has been provisionally suspended from the game in connection with the Pakistan Super League (PSL) spot-fixing scandal has boycotted the trial after the tribunal refused to give him a copy of his recorded interview.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had levied six charges on Latif for breaching the Anti-Corruption Code. The 31-year-old was one among the other five players who were investigated for corruption charges at the end of the second season of the PSL. The right-arm batsman was provisionally suspended at the start of the tournament, without getting to play a single match. A three-member tribunal appointed by the PCB is currently hearing his case.

Khalid Latif’s side

The player’s lawyer Mr Badre Alam said they were forced to take the decision to boycott after they failed to give them the copy of the recorded interview in February by the Anti-Corruption Tribunal.

“We have asked for the recording of Khalid’s interview, which is our right, but they have rejected it,” Alam said.

“Until that (interview is given) we will not continue the proceedings, we told them we are not running away but we are talking in legal terms.”

PCB’s side

PCB lawyer Taffazul Rizvi, however, said the tribunal could proceed even without Latif’s presence in the court.

“If a player or participant is not appearing before tribunal, from the start or from the middle, then the tribunal has complete right to listen to the remaining case as per the law and give the decision,” said Rizvi.

The Pakistani Cricket Board had stated in the court that they had seized the bat grips given to Latif by the bookmaker. The opener was to use the grips during the PSL to indicate whether he would participate in spot-fixing or if he did not use it he would not take part in the spot-fixing.