Spot-fixing: Shahzaib, Zulfiqar cleared, but Irfan still under probe: PCB chief

LAHORE: Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Shehryar Khan believes that lack of education among players leads them to indulge in corrupt practices like spot-fixing.

“The menace could be eradicated once educated players come to the fore,” he said while addressing a press conference here.

Khan said under-education of players was one of the reasons behind their inclination towards corruption.

Mentioning about two players – Khalid Latif and Sharjeel Khan – whose suspected involvement in a spot-fixing come to the light during Pakistan Super League, Khan said the duo would be provided a chance to defend themselves.

He also added that Shahzaib Hassan and Zulfiqar Babar had been cleared of investigation, as they were not found involved in any wrongdoing.

He said Sharjeel and Khalid were being served the show-cause notice. He also mentioned that fast bowler Muhammad Ifran will be also served notice in couple of days as he is currently under investigation.

The PCB chief said a round-table conference was being called on March 6, to be attended by former as well as current cricketers to have a discourse on the issue.

Khan said the day Pakistan Super League kicked off, the PCB’s anti corruption unit also galvanized into action and briefed the players on anti-corruption.

He said ICC Task Force Chief Giles Clark has declared Pakistan safe for international cricket matches. He said new modifications to the ICC draft law were very vital, adding that he knew India would strongly oppose it.

“It’s welcoming that new ICC’s drafted constitution doesn’t have any Big Three or Big Four.”

Earlier, he also announced that a cricket league was being initiated at school level from February 15.