LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Anti-corruption Unit (ACU) has again summoned cricketer Khalid Latif for interrogation in a spot-fixing case on Tuesday, May 2 after his failure to appear before the body on April 26.

Khalid has been reluctant to appear before the PCB tribunal but as his appeal challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal has been rejected by the Lahore High Court, he is now bound to pursue the case before the tribunal.

Khalid is also not ready to appear for the interrogation fearing that more charges may be levelled against him in the spot-fixing scam.

With the PCB directing Khalid to appear before the PCB Vigilance and Security Department, the Board has issued a strong-worded press release which states: “The Vigilance and Security Department has responded to cricketer Khalid Latif’s letter received on April 24. The Vigilance and Security Department has vehemently rejected the frivolous, baseless and false allegations leveled in the letter.”

“The PCB ACU has to date acceded to all permissible requests by Khalid Latif and extended full cooperation as permitted under the Anti-Corruption Code (The Code). But regrettably Khalid’s actions appear to be solely aimed at frustrating and obstructing the ongoing investigations.

“The PCB is aware that Khalid had filed a writ petition before the Honourable Lahore High Court and that the same was dismissed. Resultantly there is no legal impediment against PCB in continuing its investigation under the code.

“Therefore, in accordance with the provisions of Article 4.3 of the code Khalid is again directed to appear before the PCB Vigilance and Security Department for an interview on Tuesday May 2, 2017.

“Khalid is once again reminded of his obligations under the Code which mandates his full cooperation with the PCB Vigilance and Security Department in its investigation. Khalid’s non-appearance at the aforementioned interview may result in further breaches of Articles 2.4.6 and 2.4.7 of the Code,” it further stated.

Khalid along with four other cricketers in Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Irfan, Shahzaib Hasan and Nasir Jamshed are facing charges of spot-fixing erupted in the second edition of the Pakistan Super League.

On the other hand, Shahzaib has also filed a request to the PCB asking it to allow him to play cricket until the final decision of the PCB Tribunal which hears appeals of Khalid, Sharjeel Khan and Shahzaib himself.

The PCB will hold a separate hearing into Shahzaib’s appeal on May 25.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2017