PCB suspends Mohammad Irfan in spot-fixing case

New Delhi: Mohammad Irfan was suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board after investigating his involvement in a spot-fixing case during Pakistan Super League. "The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in furtherance to its investigation issued a Notice of Charge and provisionally suspended Irfan under the PCB Anti-Corruption Code," it said in a statement. The left-arm fast bowler, who represented Islamabad United in PSL was involved in spot-fixing along with other cricketers Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif, who were provisionally suspended last month. Irfan has been found guilty in two provisions of antic-corruption code. “Irfan has been charged with two violations of code article 2.4.4 and now has 14 days to respond to the Notice of Charge.” PCB said. “PCB’s investigation will continue to any questionable activity by any player and player support personnel as it carries on with its mission of eliminating the menace of corruption from cricket,” added PCB. Irfan, 34, has played four Tests, 60 ODIs and 20 T20 internationals in his career, which has been plagued by issues due to his tall demeanour. Irfan has denied accepting any offer but conceded that he did not report the matter to the Board. Irfan claimed that he was under great mental stress due to the death of his mother in the last three months. He has also denied getting any offer to fix matches in the Pakistan Super League. The other suspended players have also denied charges of wrongdoing and a tribunal has been set up to decide their fate. PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan said if found guilty, the players could face a life ban as the Board would not tolerate any corruption. Irfan was not called for the national training camp set up for the limited-overs series in West Indies last week. Pakistan's discarded batsman Shahzaib Hasan is also due to appear before the PCB ACU officials in Lahore. He too is being probed for suspected contact with bookmakers in Dubai during the PSL.