PSL spot-fixing probe: Shahzaib Hasan case hearing adjourned

LAHORE: Left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Irfan was set to appear as a witness against Shahzaib Hasan before the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) anti-corruption tribunal today, as part of ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) spot-fixing legal proceedings.

However, the case hearing was adjourned due to the absence of Shahzaib Hasan's counsel. 

Shahzaib Hasan was the fifth player to be suspended for spot fixing in the second edition of PSL held earlier this year. The 27-year-old opener, who has represented Pakistan in three one-day internationals and 10 T20 matches, was charged with three violations of the PCB’s anti-corruption code.

Mohammad Irfan was suspended by the PCB for twelve months after he delayed reporting the corrupt approaches made to him during the PSL; six months of the sentence remain suspended, as he returned to the domestic cricket landscape after serving a six-month ban.

The 35-year-old pacer has represented Pakistan in 60 ODIs, 20 T20Is, and four Test matches.

The PCB on Wednesday rejected claims by suspended cricketer Sharjeel Khan, saying it had proven all charges against the opening batsman before a tribunal and an appeal adjudicator.

Sharjeel, who had been suspended over spot-fixing allegations during PSL, had appealed to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi earlier this week to ensure justice was served, as he asked for a fair trial and vowed to fight all allegations against him.