Sharjeel was reportedly offered Rs 2 million for two dot balls
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Pakistan opener and Islamabad United player Sharjeel Khan was allegedly offered Rs 2 million to play two dot balls in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), according to Dunya News.
It is understood that a bookie named Yousaf made the offer to Sharjeel, who was reported to have been caught red-handed by the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) head of security.
Dunya News also reported that Nasir Jamshed sent a message to Islamabad United batsman Khalid Latif on WhatsApp and urged him to meet with Yousaf. It is claimed that Yousaf phoned Latif on February 8.
Sharjeel and Latif have been provisionally suspended by the PCB and sent home from the PSL, which is being held in the United Arab Emirates.
Since then, a photo has gone viral of the duo having dinner with a suspicious individual. Latif reportedly told the PCB that the person in question was from Pakistan. But, upon revealing this information, Latif was asked why he hadn’t told the board about the meeting.
Despite all the allegations levelled against Sharjeel and Latif, Sharjeel’s father is adamant that his son has done nothing wrong.
“There were 1500 rooms in the hotel. Hundreds of people ask cricketer about selfies, how Sharjeel can discriminate between offenders and innocents one,” Sharjeel’s father said.
Speaking about the situation, PSL chairman Najam Sethi said: “We were expecting bookies, and that’s why we were extra-vigilant for PSL 2. Then we got evidence that there is some wrongdoing and we took action. We will take similar action whenever we find anything damaging PSL.
“We have taken this step according to the rules. These are PCB’s rules which are stricter. Both have been suspended and issued show-cause notice.”
PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan confirmed he has incriminating evidence that proves players had tried to corrupt the tournament.
“We have evidence, definitely have evidence. We have proof against a few, and are trying to gather evidence against more,” he told reporters in Karachi. “We need to be very strict with such people who are trying to corrupt the game, we’ll give exemplary punishment to corrupt elements.”