“Until that (interview is given) we will not continue the proceedings”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Pakistan batsman Khalid Latif boycotted his hearing on Saturday after the tribunal refused to give him a copy of his interview with the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) anti-corruption unit.

Latif is accused of attempting to spot-fix, accepting an offer from a bookie and failing to report it, and attempting to lure other players into corrupt activities.

Should Latif be found guilty of all the charges against him, which relate to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) corruption scandal, he could be banned for five years to life.

Latif’s lawyer Badre Alam revealed that since the tribunal were not willing to hand over a copy of the PCB’s interview with Latif in February, the 31-year-old opted not to show up for his hearing.

“We have asked for the recording of Khalid’s interview which is our right but the tribunal has 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.”

However, PCB lawyer Taffazul Rizvi made it clear that the tribunal has the power to proceed even if Latif is not present.

“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 the remaining case as per the law and give the decision,” Rizvi said.