Cricket fraternity divided over Sharjeel Khan five-year ban

The news all Pakistan fans were dreading came out last week. One of the most talked about batsmen in the country, Sharjeel Khan, was handed a five-year ban. Just when Pakistan cricket was regaining trust following the dark days of the 2010 controversy; they have lost a fine batsman on charges of corruption.

Sharjeel has been suspended from playing cricket since February 10, 2017. He was sent home from UAE, where the PSL 2 was held, just after one appearance in the season. The Pakistan opener was found guilty on all five accounts by the anti-corruption unit and was given a five-year suspended ban by the board. The 28-year old is reportedly set to appeal against the ban shortly.

Kaneria trusts the judgmenet of tribunal

Former cricketer Danish Kaneria, who was banned for life for a fixing offence, said that he didn’t see any need of appealing against the ban. “The panel of tribunal consists of respectable and fair people so the decision cannot have been wrong,” he told The Express Tribune. “The tribunal must have verified all the evidence and then announced the decision. Appealing in the court is a long process and for a cricketer, even a day’s ban can destroy an entire career.”

While Kaneria felt for Sharjeel, as he was moving towards the peak of his career but the leg-spinner stated that the ban would make the opener realize the mistake he has committed.  “For Sharjeel, who was at the peak of his career and was getting offers from different leagues, it’s no surprise that he must have realised his mistake by now,” added Kaneria. “So a five-year ban is sufficient in my eyes.”

No concrete evidence against Sharjeel, says Shoaib Muhammad

Former Test cricketer Shoaib Muhammad said that chances of the decision being overturned were 50:50 as no solid evidence against Sharjeel was found. Shoaib was sympathetic for Sharjeel as he said that the left-hander is a good mannered chap and could have been pushed into this saga.

“The decision can be challenged in the high court and the PCB will have to put in some hard evidence — recordings, videos and concrete proof of Sharjeel’s involvement in the scandal. If they are unable to provide this, then a decision can go in Sharjeel’s favour,” said Shoaib.

“I know Sharjeel personally and he is a nice kid; his kind nature and behaviour doesn’t reflect what he has been accused of,” he said. “There are some moments when a player gets tempted by such things but he should be given a chance. I can safely say that there must be someone who made him do this since I don’t think he is capable of doing so.”

Iqbal Qasim happy with the decision

Iqbal Qasim, former Test spinner of Pakistan, supported the tribunal’s decision. He said that every cricketer is well aware of the do’s and don’ts but think that they could get away with anything.

“Every cricketer is informed about the code of conduct and told to let the board know if any fixer gets in contact with him or any of his fellows,” he said. “During the PSL they even gave separate sessions on this and even then if a player does this then he should be punished. I have no sympathy for Sharjeel and neither will he get any by appealing in court.”

“Every player should be taught by their parents and coaches to not to be involved in such things since they will get the money anyway; all they need to do is wait for it,” he added.

The 28-year old explosive opener has frittered the opportunity of making it big in international cricket. His last appearance for the country was fruitful, as he scored three consecutive half-centuries in the ODI series against Australia in January earlier in the year.