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Khalid Latif, who was sent packing Friday evening by the Pakistan Super League (PSL) management after being accused of involvement in a spot-fixing scandal, claimed he was innocent and had done nothing wrong as reporters peppered him with questions on Monday in Karachi.
"God knows that I have done nothing wrong and I am innocent," Latif maintained, refusing to comment on the matter any further.
Latif is one of two Islamabad United players that were sent back home after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) provisionally suspended them under its Anti-Corruption Code as part of an ongoing investigation into an international syndicate which is believed to be attempting to corrupt the PSL.
Sharjeel Khan is the other player who has been suspended.
Khan's father talked to media on Saturday, claiming that, “Sharjeel has done nothing wrong, this [allegation] is a misunderstanding.”
“When the PCB investigates the matter further, it will see that Sharjeel is not to blame. I have full faith in God and know that he will be cleared of all charges,” he had added.
PSL Chairman Najam Sethi had issued a statement following the incident saying, "We will not tolerate any form of corrupt activity and as this investigation proceeds we will not hesitate to take further decisive action as appropriate."
He added that the PSL management is working with the anti-corruption units of the PCB and the International Cricket Council (ICC) to root out corruption.
“It would not be appropriate to comment on the specifics of the case, however, this investigation is a clear demonstration of our determination to drive corruption out of our sport," Sethi had said.
To view Dawn.com’s coverage for Pakistan Super League 2017, click here
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On DawnNews
Feb 13, 2017 02:54pm
We need clean and respectable players in the 'game of lords' and shall do everything possible to eliminate every form of corrupt practice from the game.
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Feb 13, 2017 03:03pm
Funny that every time someone is accused of match fixing, his relatives, friends and himself claim innocence. Even funnier is the different stands taken by PCB before and after the enquiry and conviction if any.
Initially PCB will say things like we are tough on Fixing. No one will be spared etc. Once a player is convicted, the same PCB will try it's best to reduce the Ban period and take the player back. Same drama repeated with different Actors.
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Feb 13, 2017 03:10pm
Pride of Pakistan is much more than your innocence unproven Sir!
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Feb 13, 2017 03:16pm
We can't accuse and abuse anyone without having offered them a fair trial and complete investigation. This is what our religion teaches us. So, be patient guys and wait till inquiry gets completed.
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Feb 13, 2017 03:22pm
Karachites are being sidelined.
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Feb 13, 2017 03:25pm
Najam Sethi is talking about corruption...great to know.
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Feb 13, 2017 03:27pm
@Raaz isnt it clear enough already, these players are merely scapegoats. The big crocs and the main culprits are PCB and the corrupt management. In order to have a corruption free system, current management and corruption infected system have to be eliminated.
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Feb 13, 2017 03:29pm
@Abbas khan
100% correct, But brother keep in mind where smoke there fire too.
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Feb 13, 2017 03:50pm
the way he was avoiding eye contact shows that he has done something wrong
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Feb 13, 2017 03:57pm
@anees khan Corrupted talking against corruption, new world order.
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Feb 13, 2017 04:01pm
When people like sethi are controlling pcb ??? can we expect anything without corruption ???
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Feb 13, 2017 04:03pm
@Khan "where smoke there fire too." It is always easier to create smoke than fire, mind that too!!!
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Feb 13, 2017 04:13pm
@Abbas khan Thank you for the true and sane words brother.
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Feb 13, 2017 04:19pm
@ali fakhar I am Karachiite as well, but don't buy your idea. Please don't spread these dirty ideas, we are already too much in it.
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Feb 13, 2017 04:23pm
@Khan
Dear there is no pride if injustice is done.
Justice is the pride of nation and not the other way around. Let us first see if he is innocent or guilt.
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Feb 13, 2017 04:30pm
@ali fakhar very uncalled for comment. Face the issue rather than hide behind it.
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Feb 13, 2017 04:32pm
Good move and statement, had the same action been taken in 2010 episode of spot fixing we would have more respect in international community and save some good players...
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Feb 13, 2017 04:40pm
Exactly ! What NS is saying ...
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Feb 13, 2017 04:44pm
@ali fakhar Just because they are from Karachi PCB should just let corrupt players walk free ?
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Feb 13, 2017 04:44pm
Whole society is corrupt, yet everyone says, I am innocent.
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Feb 13, 2017 04:42pm
@Ahsan Ali "the way he was avoiding eye contact " Those accused of something mostly act under pressure, like those who have done something. This is why confession is mostly rejected as evidence. Secondly, he was avoiding eye contact with whom?
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Feb 13, 2017 04:50pm
Rule of law-Innocent until proven guilty !
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Feb 13, 2017 04:50pm
@Anoni "Let us first see if he is innocent or guilt." Verdict is already delivered. Kaneria and Fawad Alam were never proven guilty, but have already been served the maximum punishment: life ban.
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Feb 13, 2017 04:52pm
Corruption has penetrated into the blood of a common Pakistani.
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Feb 13, 2017 04:52pm
@007 "Just because they are from Karachi PCB should just let corrupt players walk free ?" Just treat them like Akmals, that will suffice.
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Feb 13, 2017 05:00pm
@ali fakhar yes
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Feb 13, 2017 04:58pm
Hope there is Open investigation, free trial with full media coverage also for me innocent until proven guilty.
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Feb 13, 2017 05:02pm
@Khan really, there is something called justice which is the pride of every civilized society
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Feb 13, 2017 05:05pm
May be the deal could not get materialised. To say attempt was not made for some deal looks suspicious. Without sufficient proof against these two players, PCB won't send them back.
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Feb 13, 2017 05:07pm
It is such a strange scenario that all those who themselves are corrupt or have been involved in similar activities, are today sitting on the other side of the table. Khalid and Sharjeel are products of this very society where 99% of the politicians and bureaucrats are corrupt to their cores. Some one needs to clean up all this mess if we have to have some future as decent citizens of this world.
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Feb 13, 2017 05:12pm
@Shahid "Whole society is corrupt, yet everyone says, I am innocent." Then why only 2 are punished? Does that prove their innocence?
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Feb 13, 2017 05:23pm
@MAsoud "May be the deal could not get materialised." Is that the crime they are punished for? And maybe the for those who are cleared, the deal did materialize?
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Feb 13, 2017 05:43pm
yes offcours If Nawaz Sharif is innocent after Panama Leaqus then why not you...we all morally carroupt
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Feb 13, 2017 05:43pm
@Shahid the 99% includes u and me as well
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Feb 13, 2017 05:43pm
@Abbas khan forget about religion. It also tells us not to lie and everyone in this country tell lies through their teeth.
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Feb 13, 2017 06:01pm
@Hamza Shakil Yes your are right , Just the way it happens everywhere , Sreenivasan and his son in law meiyappan went Scott free and 3 youngsters were banned for life . This happened in the IPL and it happens every year.
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Feb 13, 2017 06:02pm
@007 No I think they should be given another chance because they are young and we all make mistakes.
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Feb 13, 2017 06:04pm
Start fresh with new recruits - there are still a lot of honest players in Pakistan.
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Feb 13, 2017 06:22pm
It is still under investigation so until then it should have been kept secret and they be kept out of playing eleven on injury or something else.
The elders sheryar khan and najam sethi are lecturing and themselves don't know how to manage and handle.
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Feb 13, 2017 06:33pm
Only God can revive this cricket team!
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Feb 13, 2017 06:47pm
Aaaahhhh everyone in Pakistan is always innocent.
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Feb 13, 2017 07:06pm
I don't believe that only two players can fix the match. There may be more than two players involved. Need further investigation.
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Feb 13, 2017 07:37pm
Everybody say the same thing
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Feb 13, 2017 07:54pm
They are innocent until proven guilty in court of law. If found guilty should be punished hard.
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Feb 14, 2017 12:06am
Unfortunate Karachi cricketers...
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Feb 14, 2017 02:24am
@Fayzee If you don't like the truth, than nobody cares about you....
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Feb 14, 2017 03:31am
We are all humans and we can make mistakes... remind the individuals that it is wrong and get them to promise no such repeats in future and lets move on...
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Feb 14, 2017 08:28am
Where are those who bash Indian cricket on even small issue....PSL fixing scandals going on.
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Feb 14, 2017 09:36am
They all should come infront of media and talk about the matter . This will lead everyone in the public to listen and decide.
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Feb 14, 2017 12:18pm
Another black spot on Pakistani players.
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Feb 14, 2017 12:39pm
Well. Don't think anyone is surprised.
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Feb 14, 2017 12:55pm
@Farhan "Another black spot on Pakistani players." They are just the embodiment of the evil that corrupt our society. It is funny that we show so much disgust when simple policemen are seen taking Rs 50, but we jump to defend those living in palaces without a matching legal income. People at the helm of PCB are certainly more corrupt than the players. The fury is not because of corruption at all, it is because it may expose something bigger.
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Feb 14, 2017 01:26pm
PCB is currupt.
If it want to stop Curruption get your house in order.
What is wrong are players so stupid. Sajeel had a contract with England county. Why loose that plus mo ey from PSL, and PCB.
Why is it that these players not educated by the PCB to stay away from the bookies.
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Feb 14, 2017 02:08pm
Then why confessed links to international bookies?
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Feb 14, 2017 03:57pm
What else can he say?
Has anyone ever in South Asia admitted his or her fault or wrong doing?
I leave the answer to the enlightened, educated, excelling, enduring and exclusive readers and writers of this great DAWN forum.
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Feb 14, 2017 07:57pm
PCB is completely and utterly incompetent starting with two person at the top. They have no idea how they have destroyed cricket in Pakistan
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Feb 15, 2017 04:20am
when ICC produce coin with head on both sides then what do u expect from cricketers
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Feb 15, 2017 10:53am
Speak out the truth. You have nothing to loose. We know some PCB officials are involved.
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Feb 16, 2017 12:48pm
No excuse. You are guilty and should be permanently banned from playing any type of cricket. PCB should report this to all foreign embassies so that they are fully screened before granting any visa. They could get involved in some mischief abroad and further add bad name to the country.
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