PSL side 'been through hell': Jones

Former Australia batsman and Islamabad United coach Dean Jones says his side has “been through hell” during the widening Pakistan Super League spot-fixing scandal.

The Pakistan Cricket Board on Saturday revealed fast-bowler Mohammad Irfan was one of three more players under investigation after Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif were provisionally suspended due to fixing concerns.

Both Sharjeel and Latif play for defending champions Islamabad alongside former Australia Test players Shane Watson and Brad Haddin in the fledgling PSL, the second season of which began in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday.

Jones praised Pakistan cricket officials for their handling of the scandal but admitted it’s taken a toll on his players.

"Emotionally and physically, the team has been through hell, to be honest,” Jones said after Islamabad’s six-wicket defeat to the Lahore Qalandars on Saturday. 

“It is not the greatest preparation coming in to a match.

"Coming here, the boys wanted to get out and have some fun. Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked that way.

"But now we will get together and just move on. And well done to the PCB. I think they have handled everything over the past 24 hours very well.

"We are here to keep this great game clean, and we will do everything we can to help out the ICC and PCB in everything they do."

Quick Single: More questioned in fixing probe

Jones also said Islamabad’s veteran captain Misbah-ul-Haq, who played a lone hand with 61 off just 36 balls in their loss to Lahore, has been a soothing presence for the rest of the side. 

"Misbah's always calm, cool and collected," Jones said of Pakistan’s Test skipper.

"He doesn't give a lot of emotion away, that's the good thing about him as not many people see the humorous side of him, but we've seen a bit of that over the past 24 hours to loosen things up. 

“It's been a bit of a tough time but now we'll regroup and we'll get together and move on.

Quick Single: Pakistan Super League team guide

Along with Irfan, fellow Pakistan internationals Zulfiqar Babar and Shazaib Hassan were the players to be question by the PCB’s anti-corruption unit. They will continue to play for their respective franchises.

Irfan, at 7f 1in (2m16) the tallest international cricketer ever, has played four Tests, 60 one-day internationals and 20 Twenty20 matches since making his debut in 2010.

He was part of Pakistan's one-day squad on last month's tour of Australia but returned home after the death of his mother. 

PSL chairman Najam Sethi said the probe will continue.

"All three players will continue to play while the ACU will remain vigilant and continue to protect the PSL from the menace of corruption," said Sethi.

Islamabad United left out Irfan from their team for their match against Lahore Qalandars on Saturday which they lost by six wickets.

Hasan, who featured in Pakistan's World Twenty20 winning team in 2009, plays for Karachi Kings while Babar represents Quetta Gladiators.

Babar has played 15 Tests, five one-day and seven Twenty20 internationals.