“I can say that no one can play dot balls on purpose like this”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Former Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf defended opener Sharjeel Khan during a tribunal hearing on Monday.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has accused Sharjeel of spot-fixing, whereby he played two dot balls in exchange for money during Islamabad United’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) match against the Peshawar Zalmi in Dubai in February.

In addition to agreeing to spot-fix, the PCB has also charged the 27-year-old with failing to report an approach. Should he be found guilty, Sharjeel could be banned anywhere from five years to life.

However, Yousuf insisted that there is no way Sharjeel played those two dot balls on purpose.

“I have played cricket myself and on that experience I can say that no one can play dot balls on purpose like this,” the ex-Pakistan captain said. “Sharjeel played both the balls on merit and he played forceful shots on both and one (stroke) could have resulted in a single. Had he wanted to play a dot ball he would have either left it or played with a dead bat.”

Yousuf added that the PCB should provide more evidence to back up their claims, “or else don’t make fun of players”.