Sharjeel Khan was threatened to admit the spot-fixing allegations "to save his cricket career", claims lawyer

BIPIN DANI. Dated: 6/19/2017 3:42:28 PM

MUMBAI, June 18 Pakistani opener Sharjeel Khan, who has been suspended for the spot-fixing allegations in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) was threatened (to accept the charges) to save his cricket career. This on Sunday was claimed by his lawyer Shaigaz Ijaz.
Speaking exclusively over his mobile from Lahore, where he was preparing to represent his client for Monday's hearing, he said, "in Dubai when Sharjeel Khan was being interviewed by the ICC officials Colin Tenant, Stephanie McCormick and Col. Khalid (Integrity Officer of Islamabad United team) at the ICC Head Quarters, Col. Azam Khan, (General Manager : Security and Vigilance Department (Pakistan Cricket Board, PCB) entered the room and asked Sharjeel “You will reply as I have instructed/told you”.
"Col. Azam also took Sharjeel Khan along with him in his car from the cricket ground to ICC Headquarters and continuously threatened him to do as per his wishes if he (Sharjeel) wanted to play cricket again", the lawyer claimed.
Sharjeel Khan and his lawyer are believed to have the recording of this conversation.
"It was a ploy to trap Sharjeel. Had he admitted these charges then, he would have been immediately banned".
The 28-year-old left-handed batsman has played 1 Test, 25 ODIs' and 15 T20 matches for his country.
“It is evident that PCB’s Anti-Corruption unit has concocted this scenario just to show their efficiency.”
“That PCB’s application to produce in evidence findings of NCA at this stage of the case is against the settled principles of law when both PCB and Sharjeel Khan have led their evidence”, he further added.
The PCB in its cross examination is likely to produce few cricketers, who would watch the video recording of the match for their judgement.
Sharjeel Khan has obtained the testimonials from Dean Jones (coach of his team at the PSL), Sadqi Mohammad (the brother of late Hanif Mhammad) and Mohammad Youfus, all former cricketers.
“Dean Jones coach of Islamabad United as well as Muhammad Yousaf and Sadiq Muhammad have all testified in support of Sharjeel asserting that alleged (two) dot balls were played on merit with intention to score runs. Sharjeel even ran on the second ball but was stopped by the non-striker”, the lawyer further added.
Unlike Khalid Latif, Sharjeel Khan has not objected to the composition of the panel, which is investigating the charges. "There are people in this committee of high integrity and we have no problems with them", he signed off.

 

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