“Until the matter is in proceeding and until things are not proved, he is innocent”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Shaigan Ijaz, the lawyer of Sharjeel Khan, has insisted that there is “insufficient” evidence to prove that the opener was involved in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) corruption scandal.

Ijaz’s comments come after a second hearing, where the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) presented evidence in front of a three-member tribunal, which consists of Justice Asghar Haider (retired), former PCB president Tauqir Zia and former wicketkeeper Wasim Bari.

With the PCB having provided the evidence they have to Sharjeel and his counsel, the 27-year-old has until May 5 to respond to it.

“They have presented the evidences to the tribunal that contain statements of witnesses and some recording of interviews they had done during the investigations,” Sharjeel’s counsel said. “I want to insist to my media friends that everybody is innocent until or unless proven guilty. Sharjeel Khan is our national asset and our national team player and until the matter is in proceeding and until things are not proved, he is innocent. We will assess the evidence in detail but we understand that these are insufficient.”

Khalid Latif, who was provisionally suspended by the PCB with Sharjeel, also appeared before the tribunal with his lawyer and like his Pakistan and Islamabad United team-mate, he has until May 5 to respond.