The 2016 Pakistan Super League spot-fixing scandal arose in February 2016 when the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) suspended several cricketers under its anti-corruption code in an ongoing investigation on spot-fixing, backed by International Cricket Council (ICC)'s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit, during the 2016 Pakistan Super League. The six cricketers that were suspended by the PCB were: Sharjeel Khan (on 10 February), Khalid Latif (on 10 February), Nasir Jamshed (on 13 February), Mohammad Irfan (on 14 March), Shahzaib Hasan (on 17 March) and Mohammad Nawaz (16 May).
In March 2016, the PCB banned Irfan for one year from all forms of the game after he pleaded guilty to the charges. After several months of hearing, in August 2016, Sharjeel was found guilty on five counts of the charges and banned for five years from all forms of cricket. Latif was banned for five years in September 2016, being found guilty on six counts of the charges. Jamshed and Shahzaib were each handed a one-year ban in December 2016 and February 2018, respectively. In August 2018, Shahzaib's ban was extended to 4 years and Jamshed received a 10-year ban from all forms of cricket.
Allegations Sharjeel allegedly received 2 million Pakistani rupees in order to play two dot balls in the match against Peshawar Zalmi. Latif was allegedly given bat grips by bookies which he had rolled on to his bat to indicate that he would go through with the spot-fixing. He was also accused of persuading three other players to participate in the fixing.
Charges and punishment Sharjeel Khan(Ban of 5 years) Khalid Latif(Ban of 5 years and fine of ₨. 1 million) 2.1.1: Fixing or influencing improperly the result of a match 2.1.2: Ensuring betting the occurrence of an incident in a match 2.1.3: Seeking, accepting, offering or agreeing to accept bribe/reward to fix or ensure betting 2.4.4: Failing to disclose corrupt approaches to PCB's Vigilance & Security Department (VSD) 2.4.5: Failing to disclose to PCB's VSD any incident breaching PCB's anti-corruption code 2.1.1: Fixing or influencing improperly the result of a match 2.1.2: Ensuring betting the occurrence of an incident in a match 2.1.3: Seeking, accepting, offering or agreeing to accept bribe/reward to fix or ensure betting 2.4.4: Failing to disclose corrupt approaches to PCB's VSD 2.4.5: Failing to disclose to PCB's VSD any incident breaching PCB's anti-corruption code Persuading three other players (Sharjeel, Irfan and Shahzaib) to take part in fixing Mohammad Irfan(Ban of 1 year and fine of ₨. 1 million) Mohammad Nawaz(Suspension of 2 months and fine of ₨. 200,000) 2.4.4: Failing to disclose corrupt approaches to PCB's VSD 2.4.4: Failing to disclose corrupt approaches to PCB's VSD Nasir Jamshed(Ban of 1 year) Shahzaib Hasan(Ban of 1 year and fine of ₨. 1 million) 2.4.6: Not co-operating with an investigation 2.4.7: Obstructing or delaying an investigation 2.1.4: Directly or indirectly facilitating with corrupt activities 2.4.4: Failing to disclose corrupt approaches to PCB's VSD 2.4.5: Failing to disclose to PCB's VSD any incident breaching PCB's anti-corruption code
Timeline February On 10 February, it was reported that Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif were questioned and provisionally suspended by the PCB's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) after the conclusion of the opening match of the 2017 Pakistan Super League which was being held in the UAE. Islamabad United player Mohammad Irfan was also questioned by the Anti-Corruption Unit along with his teammates Sharjeel and Latif, with the PCB announcing that, unlike the other two, Irfan would not "face any immediate suspension." On 11 February, Zulfiqar Babar and Shahzaib Hasan were also questioned by the Anti-Corruption Unit, but were allowed to take further part in the tournament.
Pakistan Super League (PSL) chairman Najam Sethi said that they had evidence against Sharjeel and Latif, but waited till the end of the match to see whether the two would fulfill their commitments to the bookmakers. He added, "We knew what commitments they had made. Islamabad United played Sharjeel but not Khalid. But when the match was held it was confirmed Sharjeel had done what he had committed to do to the bookmakers." He also stated that they feared making the announcement before the start of tournament as it "could affect the PSL and its reputation."
On 13 February, Nasir Jamshed was provisionally suspended by the PCB for violating its anti-corruption code. Jamshed and another man were arrested by the National Crime Agency (NCA) later the same day in the UK in connection with the investigation. However, both men were released on bail till April 2017 pending further inquiry. The NCA released a statement that it was "working closely with the Pakistan Cricket Board and International Cricket Council's anti-corruption units."
On 18 February, following three days of interviews with the PCB's Vigilance and Security Department (VSD), Sharjeel and Latif were charged for alleged breaches of its anti-corruption code in Lahore. Among the breaches of the code were "attempt to corrupt a game" and "failing to disclose suspect approaches." It was reported that Sharjeel had allegedly breached five articles of the code, while Latif had allegedly breached six. PCB's legal advisor Taffazul Rizvi stated that the two players were "handed notices and advised to seek legal counsel" and that they had 14 days to respond.
March On 4 March, Sharjeel and Latif responded to the charges laid against them, with both accepting at least one of the minor charges but denying major allegations. In the aftermath of this, the PCB formed a three-man tribunal of retired Justice Asghar Haider, former PCB chairman Tauqir Zia, and former cricketer Wasim Bari to hear the cases of the two players. On 17 March, Sharjeel appeared before the tribunal to hear the charges, whereas Latif forced the postponement of his hearing citing health issues. Sharjeel was given up to 5 May to respond to the accusations, with the formal hearing scheduled for 15 May. Latif was set a deadline of 31 March to appear before the tribunal.
On 10 March, the PCB summoned Irfan and Shahzaib for questioning by the anti-corruption unit on 13 and 14 March respectively. On 14 March, the PCB provisionally suspended Irfan from all forms of the game with immediate effect for alleged breaches of two articles of the code during the PSL. On 17 March, Shahzaib was also provisionally suspended from all forms of the game with immediate effect as part of its ongoing investigation. He was given 14 days to respond in the matter.
On 20 March, Pakistan's Interior minister Nisar Ali Khan on recommendation of Federal Investigation Agency approved putting the names of five players involved on the Exit Control List (ECL) making them unable to travel overseas.
On 29 March, Irfan was banned for one year from all forms of the game after he pleaded guilty to have not reported two approaches of fixing. The ban would be effective from the date of his suspension (14 March) and can be reduced to six months if he assists the PCB in its investigation.
On 31 March, Latif's lawyer announced that they would contest the charges "because no one can be convicted on presumptions." The appeal was rejected by a court in Lahore on 14 April after the PCB released evidence to the tribunal as well as to Latif and Sharjeel. According to a PCB official, the evidence included "witness statements, recorded interviews, match footage, and copies of certain WhatsApp voice messages." Latif was also set a 5 May deadline to respond to the charges, while the formal hearing would commence from 19 May. Sharjeel's lawyer claimed that the evidence presented was "insufficient" and that Sharjeel was innocent.
April On 11 April, Jamshed was officially charged for breaching two articles of the anti-corruption code which include "failing or refusing, without compelling justification, to cooperate" and "obstructing or delaying any investigation" of the PCB. Days later, Jamshed released a statement that he would be cooperating with the PCB in its investigation after the NCA inquiry concludes.
On 17 April, the PCB summoned Latif and Shahzaib to appear for interviews before its Security and Vigilance Department on 26 and 27 April respectively. On 21 April, Shahzaib was charged with breach of three articles of the anti-corruption code by PCB's three man tribunal. He was given a deadline of 18 May to respond to the charges, with a formal hearing scheduled for 1 June. However, Shahzaib expressed satisfaction over the investigation and decided not to go to court.
Latif did not appear for his interview on 26 April, expressing concerns about fairness of the investigation and accusing the ACU of being biased against him, while his lawyer raised opposition over the formation of the three-man tribunal. The PCB, in reply, "vehemently rejected the frivolous, baseless and false allegations", saying Latif's actions "appear to be solely aimed at frustrating and obstructing the ongoing investigations," and set a date of 2 May for him to appear for the interview.
May An appeal by Latif challenging the powers of PCB's tribunal was rejected by the Lahore High Court on 4 May. During Sharjeel and Latif's tribunal hearing, Rizvi stated that the PCB has enough evidence against them and that the two players were "trying to use legal terms to save themselves and misguiding the tribunal."
On 8 May, the PCB summoned Mohammad Nawaz for questioning in relation to the spot-fixing investigation. On 17 May, he was suspended for two months and fined 200,000 Pakistani rupees for failing to report suspect approach. Later that day, Jamshed claimed that the PCB was "maligning" his name and threatened to take legal action against the board.
The PCB, on 17 May, presented Islamabad United cricketer Umar Amin, PCB legal advisor Salman Naseer and Islamabad United’s security official Col Khalid as witnesses against Sharjeel, who was accused of deliberately playing two dot balls in exchange for money from bookmakers. According to a report in Nawa-i-Waqt, Sharjeel later confessed that he had contacts with bookies with whom he finalized the deal but said he did not act according to the deal in the match.
Ronnie Flanagan, Chairman of ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU), testified against Sharjeel. Flanagan stated that they "received intelligence that was passed to us by the British National Crime Agency" which was shared with PCB. On 18 May, Sharjeel's lawyer stated that Islamabad United coach Dean Jones, Mohammad Yousuf and Sadiq Mohammad will be presented as expert witnesses on 24 May and accused the PCB of making up a story. All three witnesses defended Sharjeel by saying the two dot balls were played on merit of each ball and not on purpose.
On 19 May, the PCB announced that it had seized bat grips given to Latif by bookmakers. The bat grips were used by Latif in the match allegedly as a signal to the bookmakers of accepting their offer. Latif boycotted the tribunal the following day, with his lawyer stating it was done as the tribunal refused to provide him a copy of their ACU interview held in February. The tribunal continued hearing the case in the subsequent days in the absence of Latif and his lawyer. However, on 29 May, Latif requested the tribunal that they be allowed to put forth their defence from 14 June, after his lawyer finishes his Umrah, and this was agreed to by the tribunal the following day.
The hearing of Jamshed's case was deferred till 9 June when the PCB is scheduled to submit its reply against Jamshed.
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