Pakistan’s FIA to record statements of players named in PSL spot-fixing scandal

The four players accused of being involved in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) spot-fixing scandal have been summoned by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to record their statements

Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has summoned the four players accused of being involved in the spot-fixing scandal in Pakistan Super League (PSL), in order to record their statements. Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, Nasir Jamshed and Mohammed Irfan, the four players who have been named in the scandal, will give their statements to FIA on March 20 and 21.

Sharjeel Khan is one of the four players accused of being involved in Pakistan Super League spot-fixing scandal. (File photo)(AP)

Jamshed and Irfan have been summoned on March 20, while Khalid and Sharjeel will appear before the body a day later.

Shahzaib Hussain, who is among the suspected players, has, however, not been summoned.

It was later clarified by a spokesman of the Interior Ministry that Shahzaib could be summoned later if any links with bookies emerge.

“Few people (accused players) can’t be allowed to tarnish the image of the country,” the Dawn subsequently quoted Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Pakistan’s Interior Minister, as saying.

“This is a corruption case and FIA will reach all persons involved in this case.”

“After inquiry, if corruption and match-fixing is proved, then FIA could register FIRs to send the accused to jail,” he added.

Irfan was earlier this week suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following an investigation into the spot-fixing allegations in the second edition of the tournament.

The left-arm pacer appeared before the PCB Anti-Corruption Unit in Lahore on Monday to answer allegations about being allegedly contacted by a bookie during the PSL.

Irfan has been given 14 days by the PCB to submit his reply.

Earlier, on March 6, a three-member tribunal was formed by the PCB to investigate the spot-fixing case allegedly involving Sharjeel and Khalid. The duo was later suspended by the PCB under its Anti-Corruption Code.

Both the cricketers, who play for the Islamabad United franchise in PSL, formally recorded their statements on February 18 before the anti-corruption unit of the cricket board.

The British Police had arrested three suspects in connection with the case including Nasir, who was released on bail.

(With inputs from ANI)