Pakistan opener Sharjeel Khan banned for 5 years

28-year-old former Pakistan opener Sharjeel Khan has been banned for 5 years by the three-member Anti-Corruption Tribunal, formed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to probe into the spot-fixing scandal in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Earlier, Sharjeel and his lawyer Shaigan Ejaz had accepted the authority of the tribunal and appeared in all hearings, and also made it clear that they had full faith in the tribunal and would co-operate. Out of the 5 years, two and a half years will be served as suspension sentence. He can play after two & a half years provided prerequisites.

The opener has played 25 ODIs for Pakistan, scoring 812 runs at an average of 32.48. He has notched up a hundred and six fifties too. In 15 T20Is, the Sind-born cricketer has 360 runs. Sharjeel was part of Pakistan’s squad for the tour down under earlier this year. Incidentally, the opener scored 50, 74 and 79 in his last 3 ODIs against Australia.

Suspended earlier

Sharjeel was earlier suspended on suspicion of five breaches of the PCB’s Anti-Corruption Code. He was suspended in the month of February for his alleged role in spot-fixing in the opening match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) season two between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi.

According to Duniya News, Sharjeel Khan was suspended on following alleged breaches of PCB’s Anti-Corruption Code:

2.1.1 Fixing or contriving in any way or otherwise influencing improperly or being a party to any agreement or effort to fix or contrive in any way or otherwise influence improperly the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of any domestic match, including (without limitation) by deliberately underperforming therein.

2.1.2. Ensuring for betting or other corrupt purposes the occurrence of a particular incident in a domestic match.

2.1.3. Seeking, accepting, offering or agreeing to accept any bribe or other reward to (a) fix or to contrive in any way or otherwise to influence improperly the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of any domestic match or (b) ensure for betting or other corrupt purposes the occurrence of a particular incident in a domestic match.

2.4.4 Failing to disclose to the PCB Vigilance and Security Department (without unnecessary delay) full details of any approaches or invitations received by the participant to engage in corrupt conduct under this anti-corruption code.

2.4.5 Failing or refusing to disclose to the PCB Vigilance and Security Department (without unnecessary delay) full details of any incident, fact, or matter that comes to the attention of a participant that may evidence corrupt conduct under this anti-corruption code by another participant, including (without limitation) approaches or invitations that have been received by another participant to engage in conduct that would amount to a breach of this anti-corruption code.