Yousuf defends Sharjeel in corruption case
Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf appeared as a witness for batsman Sharjeel Khan, who is accused of a being part of an alleged spot-fixing attempt, at a tribunal hearing.
The 27-year-old Sharjeel, who has played 25 ODIs, 15 T20Is and a solitary Test for Pakistan, was charged by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for corruption at the Pakistan Super League (PSL) earlier this year.
The PCB said Sharjeel deliberately played out two dot balls in what was a pre-arranged event, which the left-hander denies, in the opening game of the tournament.
Yousuf, who played in 90 Tests for the national side and is one of Pakistan’s greatest batsman of all time, came to the defence of the player at the tribunal.
The now 42-year-old Yousuf said: “I have played cricket myself and on that experience I can say that no one can play dot balls on purpose like this.
“Sharjeel played both the balls on merit and he played forceful shots on both and one [stroke] could have resulted in a single.
“Had he wanted to play a dot ball he would have either left it or played with a dead bat.”
Last week Sharjeel’s coach in the PSL, former Australia batsman Dean Jones, also spoke to the tribunal via a video call in defence of the Islamabad United player.
Latest
-
NewsZak Crawley and Ben Duckett get England off to flying start in Pakistan
Crawley scored the fastest ever Test hundred by an England opener, from 86 balls.
-
NewsZak Crawley and Ben Duckett get England off to fast start in Pakistan
Crawley went into the break unbeaten on 91 from 79 balls.
-
NewsWill Jacks given surprise debut for England’s first Test in Pakistan since 2005
The batting-all rounder was called up in the absence of wicketkeeper Ben Foakes.
-
NewsEngland’s first Test in Pakistan since 2005 to go ahead despite virus in camp
The match will get under way on Thursday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
-
NewsLiam Livingstone relishing chance to ‘live childhood dream’ against Pakistan
The batting all-rounder’s eye-catching shots in the shorter formats have earned him his Test chance.
-
NewsEngland’s first Test against Pakistan hangs in the balance due to illness
Approximately 13 to 14 members of the touring party are affected by a viral infection.
-
NewsSurrey to begin County Championship defence at last term’s runners-up Lancashire
The match is one of nine championship fixtures to launch the new season over the Easter weekend of April 6-9.
-
IndiaKisma News: Prithvi Shaw – not in India team, but talked about as a future captaincy candidate
Former India opener Gautam Gambhir raised a few eyebrows recently when he earmarked Prithvi Shaw as a future captaincy candidate for India.
-
NewsFirst Test against Pakistan could be put back a day as England affected by virus
Approximately 13 to 14 members of the touring party are affected by the illness.
-
NewsIllness sweeps through England camp ahead of first Pakistan Test
Approximately 13 to 14 members of the touring party are affected by the illness.