"I offer my unconditional apology to my team-mates, fans and family" : Sharjeel Khan

[Firebat]

Lahore, 19 August 2019:

The Pakistan Cricket Board today met with cricketer Sharjeel Khan and agreed with him on the roadmap for his re-entry into competitive cricket. Sharjeel has undergone an ineligibility period of two-and-a-half years for breaching provisions of the PCB Anti-Corruption Conduct.

It was agreed Sharjeel will complete rehabilitation, designed by the PCB’s Security and Anti-Corruption Department, before the end of the year and then reintegrate into top level cricket.

The rehabilitation, among other things, will also include attending and delivering lectures on the PCB Anti-Corruption Code, visits to orphanage homes as part of social service and participating in integration sessions with the Pakistan cricket team players and player support personnel.

Sharjeel Khan said: “I offer my unconditional apology to the Pakistan Cricket Board, my team-mates, fans and family for the irresponsible conduct that brought embarrassment to everyone. I request for forgiveness and assure I will show more responsibility in my future actions.

“I remind all cricketers to strictly and religiously follow the PCB Anti-Corruption Code as breaching it will only earn momentary gains but the consequences will be severe and last for rest of the career.

“I have agreed on the future course of action with the PCB, including helping it in its education sessions on anti-corruption.

“I will soon return to club cricket but will not rush into domestic cricket as I have been away for nearly 30 months and need time to reclaim my fitness and form.”

Lt Col (R) Asif Mahmood, Director - PCB Security and Anti-Corruption, said: “We met Sharjeel today in which he showed remorse and regret for his actions. The PCB never takes pride in penalising its players, but it has a non-negotiable and zero-tolerance approach to matters relating to corruption.

“I hope this serves as a reminder to all those who think they can get away with violating rules as the PCB is vigilant and committed to eliminate the menace of corruption from the game.”

 

[Major]

so he admits it.


WHere are his defenders now

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Once again goes to show irrespective of what the trio went through in 2010 and how they were convicted, jailed and lost 5+ years of their playing careers, our cricketers refuse to learn and play for the country instead of their selfish needs.

Education is a big part of any society and until and unless harsh rules and regulations are not put in place for everyone big or small this would not stop. Educate these villagers who have barely even stepped inside a school and tell them that playing for your country is the ultimate thing and not just for money and fame as that is what goes through their head and they start having inflating egos.

 

[hadi123]

Good. We need him back ASAP

 

[Ucdkee]

so he admits it.


WHere are his defenders now

What choice does he have when the claimants have failed to clearly prove that he's guilty and the only way he has to make a comeback is by admitting to his involvement in match fixing?

 

[Major]

What choice does he have when the claimants have failed to clearly prove that he's guilty and the only way he has to make a comeback is by admitting to his involvement in match fixing?

ahh no.

Such matters are not a joke.

If he didnt do it he can make appeals

he still probably had 1-2 appeals.

Asif did the same, and at the end he admitted what he did.

 

[Pakhs]

ahh no.

Such matters are not a joke.

If he didnt do it he can make appeals

he still probably had 1-2 appeals.

Asif did the same, and at the end he admitted what he did.

Asif knew at his age any sort of ban would mean end of his career. Sharjeel now finally admitted his guilt since he knows now that's the quickest way to make a come back.

 

[saeed5646]

So now he is officially "fixer ".Let's see in future what national saviour do for Pakistan cricket.

 

[MMHS]

so he admits it.


WHere are his defenders now

There is a reason why in criminal cases, statement/admission under police custody is not considered in judgment.

Sharjeel is guilty to some extent for sure, but I am not sure the verdict was just and the trial process was flawed, dubious and conducted in a hurry.

He was made scapegoat and handed a capital punishment to “show some intent”, and it's only because he is a soft target -

1. Comes from a smaller town
2. Doesn’t represent a major ethnic community of Pakistan
3. Not in one of prominent group of PAK cricket circle
4. Doesn’t have the backup of any major media house
5. No large brand as personal sponsor

 

[hailian]

There is a reason why in criminal cases, statement/admission under police custody is not considered in judgment.

Sharjeel is guilty to some extent for sure, but I am not sure the verdict was just and the trial process was flawed, dubious and conducted in a hurry.

He was made scapegoat and handed a capital punishment to “show some intent”, and it's only because he is a soft target -

1. Comes from a smaller town
2. DoesnÂ’t represent a major ethnic community of Pakistan
3. Not in one of prominent group of PAK cricket circle
4. DoesnÂ’t have the backup of any major media house
5. No large brand as personal sponsor

Let me bust it. Salman Butt and Asif

1. Were from a big town.
2. Represent a major ethnic community
3. were prominent group of PAK cricket circle
4. Asif was and is a big brand and people still want to see him

But Najam Sethi told all the PSL franchises not to put them in their team.

Now think big and come out from your shells.

 

[aloo paratha]

so he admits it.


WHere are his defenders now

"A PCB official said Sharjeel could be allowed to resume playing as soon as September in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy but he has to first admit his involvement in the spot-fixing and apologise for his actions."

Any person in their right mind would accept it so that they can start playing again.

 

[MMHS]

Let me bust it. Salman Butt and Asif

1. Were from a big town.
2. Represent a major ethnic community
3. were prominent group of PAK cricket circle
4. Asif was and is a big brand and people still want to see him

But Najam Sethi told all the PSL franchises not to put them in their team.

Now think big and come out from your shells.

Do you understand the difference between banning a player from every form of cricket & practice facilities for 5 years based on circumstantial evidence and asking the franchises of a T20 league not to consider two CONVICTED criminals?

Financially costing Sharjeel was the best case scenario here - like keeping him out of PSL, make him “pay as you play” for PCT (no central contract). That’s exactly what the two convicted criminals got from PCB - no PSL, but they are allowed to play in PAK domestics, use PCB’s facilities and being eligible for a PAK selection. Sharjeel would have got exactly that had he qualified by those 4-5 points.

Some of you think too big of PSL, which is the problem here.

 

[MenInG]

Poll added.

 

[Karachi]

ahh no.

Such matters are not a joke.

If he didnt do it he can make appeals

he still probably had 1-2 appeals.

Asif did the same, and at the end he admitted what he did.

PCB itself is a joke. There are so many players who ever involve in match fixing during 80s, 90s and 2000s but PCB only caught few. Some people who are now the commentators were involved or failed to disclose information regarding match fixing. Who got caught and taught a lesson? Salim Malik and Danish Kaneria. Wait for Javed Maindad to open his mouth and Afridi and rest corrupt mafia will be ashamed.

 

[Naveedahmed1]

Wasn’t Salman butt selected for PSL?

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Till this day we dont even know why he actually got banned. Hope he gets back in domestic atleast.

 

[Major]

Asif knew at his age any sort of ban would mean end of his career. Sharjeel now finally admitted his guilt since he knows now that's the quickest way to make a come back.

ahh no, If Asif was innocent he would had been proven innocent.

Dont start on the asif case. He was not only found guilty by ICC, he even got a jail sentence.

As for Sharjeel, he can appeal if he wants, him not appealing and accepting hte decison shows he is one corrupt player

 

[Titan24]

Most likely he will be featuring in next year's PSL and if he shows some form he might be playing in T20 WC for Pak.

 

[Major]

There is a reason why in criminal cases, statement/admission under police custody is not considered in judgment.

Sharjeel is guilty to some extent for sure, but I am not sure the verdict was just and the trial process was flawed, dubious and conducted in a hurry.

He was made scapegoat and handed a capital punishment to “show some intent”, and it's only because he is a soft target -

1. Comes from a smaller town
2. Doesn’t represent a major ethnic community of Pakistan
3. Not in one of prominent group of PAK cricket circle
4. Doesn’t have the backup of any major media house
5. No large brand as personal sponsor

if t was flawed, Sharjeel could had taken this case and appealed to the highest sports court, which is some swiss court i think.

He was not scapegoat, and please stop making those excuses.

 

[Major]

"A PCB official said Sharjeel could be allowed to resume playing as soon as September in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy but he has to first admit his involvement in the spot-fixing and apologise for his actions."

Any person in their right mind would accept it so that they can start playing again.

nope, any person with the help of his lawyers will go for the highest appeals.

Admitting yourr crime is not some joke bro.

 

[Major]

PCB itself is a joke. There are so many players who ever involve in match fixing during 80s, 90s and 2000s but PCB only caught few. Some people who are now the commentators were involved or failed to disclose information regarding match fixing. Who got caught and taught a lesson? Salim Malik and Danish Kaneria. Wait for Javed Maindad to open his mouth and Afridi and rest corrupt mafia will be ashamed.

???

PCB is not some person who is living and is an enternal person.

PCB is an organziation which keeps on changing after every 4-5 years.

The PCB management of 80s or 90s didnt take action which was bad.

But the Najem Sethi and SHeryar administration took the great step.

 

[sweep_shot]

People make mistakes and everyone deserves another chance. Sharjeel is no exception.

I hope that mistake will make him a better person.

 

[Pakhs]

ahh no, If Asif was innocent he would had been proven innocent.

Dont start on the asif case. He was not only found guilty by ICC, he even got a jail sentence.

As for Sharjeel, he can appeal if he wants, him not appealing and accepting hte decison shows he is one corrupt player

Both are corrupt players! but one never admitted his guilt until too late because he knew even if it reduces his sentence by half his career would still be over.

Sharjeel admitted his guilt because he knows this would salvage his career somewhat.

 

[Pakhs]

Most likely he will be featuring in next year's PSL and if he shows some form he might be playing in T20 WC for Pak.

If only things are that easy! its not as if he was performing at ATG level he was just starting to play a few good innings after a very poor start. I doubt he can gain the form he had just before his ban for atleast another two years if ever.

 

[Major]

WHat i really find weird is that posters on this forum always cry that fixing should be finished, PCB needs to take action and what not.

When PCB takes action they then side with the guilty saying that he was a victim of some grander scheme.

What you guys dont understand is that PCB handled this case much well than the way ICC did.

ICC only banned Amir, Asif and BUtt

PCB banned even Irfan and Nawaz for not reporting the approach.

You see, problem is not fixing itself, problem is players knowing about corrupt indiviiduals but not reproting them due to being friends and all and making it more suspicious.

Nasir Jamsheds corrupt activities were known well before back in BPL, but no one banned him. But this sharjeel case lead to his banned thankfully. THe guy is guilty that he doesnt even have the guts to come to Pakistan and face the courts.

PCB made a good example. This case lead to Sarfraz and Umar akmal recently reporting of approaches made to them which was needed.

 

[Major]

Both are corrupt players! but one never admitted his guilt until too late because he knew even if it reduces his sentence by half his career would still be over.

Sharjeel admitted his guilt because he knows this would salvage his career somewhat.

bro you are being very immature.

please read about how swiss courts deal with worldwide sports bans and rulings.

No one admits a guilt just for the sake of it. Plus, in sports they have appeals.

 

[aloo paratha]

nope, any person with the help of his lawyers will go for the highest appeals.

Admitting yourr crime is not some joke bro.

It's not worth fighting over and wasting more time, Sharjeel is already 30, it was best if he just 'accept' his crime and move on. After all, what's the huge harm in being labelled a fixer? The likes of Amir did it in an international test match, and their allegations were actually proven and everybody accepts him so it really isn't that bad if random people think you're a fixer even when you're not.

 

[Titan24]

If only things are that easy! its not as if he was performing at ATG level he was just starting to play a few good innings after a very poor start. I doubt he can gain the form he had just before his ban for atleast another two years if ever.

Yes things are not easy but when there is so much scarcity of attacking opening batsmen or even attacking batsmen as a whole then this lack competition can make the things bit easier. He wasnt an ATG but considering the lack of power hitting options everywhere in the batting order made him a crucial member to provide starts, if he can replicate the old form is what only time can tell.

 

[Major]

It's not worth fighting over and wasting more time, Sharjeel is already 30, it was best if he just 'accept' his crime and move on. After all, what's the huge harm in being labelled a fixer? The likes of Amir did it in an international test match and everybody accepts him so it really isn't that bad if random people think you're a fixer even when you're not.

bro there are many problems.

Look at Asif right now. He is still a very good bowler. He was known for bowling well in domestic recently. But he cant play Pakistan, he cant play PSL, he cant play any other domestic game.

Amir was one off, and PCB now has realized these mistake in reinvesting in Amir after he left Test cricket.

Problem for Asif and Butt is that when they retire, they wont be getting opportunities in cricket.

Same problem exists for Sharjeel. If he admits a false crime he destroys his future.

Look, even Chris Cairns was able to prove himself innocent in the Lalit Modi fiasco

 

[Oneking]

Please read his statement, he never agreed to fixing, he did however agree to not following PCB protocol.
I belive, He is guilty to some extent but not fixing.
Possibly failed to report approach.
There’s a article on Cricinfo which you guys should read.

 

[Jabo]

Not sure why people want him back ASAP like he was some ATG batsman

he was pretty pathetic
threw his wicket away and i doubt he has a brain cell to stop doing this after getting caught for match fixing after all the amir/butt/asif incident

 

[Hasan123]

Lol he's sorry but Pak fans tell us he is not guilty. Personally I don't want him to play for us again as selecting convicted fixers doesn't set a good example for up and coming players.

 

[MMHS]

if t was flawed, Sharjeel could had taken this case and appealed to the highest sports court, which is some swiss court i think.

He was not scapegoat, and please stop making those excuses.

There was a little problem associated with that - cost. He wasn’t someone who had made 10-12 years earning of a top PAK international, he wasn’t someone with inherited property and he didn’t have a mega sponsor. And for an officially 29 years old PAK cricketer, investing on such a case is too risky.

I don’t want to waste time on repeating points made to the original thread by several posters on why his case was weak (for PCB’s perspectives), and I do agree that he was guilty to some extent (at least intention to do a crime was there), but not sure if he deserved the capital punishment (5 years ban at that age is basically death sentence on a cricket career, particularly for someone still trying to establish himself in national team).

As I said - he could have been penalised financially, could have been dropped from central contract or may be even excluded from PCT selection unofficially, but he didn’t deserve such ban for 5 years. Still, he could have earned him living from different PLs & SLs, from club cricket, from random tournaments - but they left him no choice but to negotiate with PCB at their term. That trial was absolute joke, end result is even a bigger joke - Sharjeel can come back in cricket, even play for PAK if he accepts his guilt and apologise!!!! They couldn’t prove it, so this is what left to save face.

PS: don’t even think that I am a fan boy of SK, who’ll defend everything for his trophy, and Sharjeel is a crook - but every judicial procedure should be fair and conclusive; otherwise the accused should get benefit of doubt.

 

[adil_909]

there is a deep sickness in pakistani society that we can't find 11 honest and talented men to wear our jersey. we keep needing to go back and pardoning cheaters and liars. he should be allowed to play domestic so he can make a living and that's it. no need for the national team to lower their standards and have these losers

 

[Pakhs]

bro you are being very immature.

please read about how swiss courts deal with worldwide sports bans and rulings.

No one admits a guilt just for the sake of it. Plus, in sports they have appeals.

Whats your point? None of these went to swiss courts! Both are proven corrupts who only admitted guilt in return of a shorter sentence.

 

[Pakhs]

Yes things are not easy but when there is so much scarcity of attacking opening batsmen or even attacking batsmen as a whole then this lack competition can make the things bit easier. He wasnt an ATG but considering the lack of power hitting options everywhere in the batting order made him a crucial member to provide starts, if he can replicate the old form is what only time can tell.

Have to wait and see! need to just let him play domestically for now at least one year minimum.

 

[Junaid_ahmed]

There is a reason why in criminal cases, statement/admission under police custody is not considered in judgment.

Sharjeel is guilty to some extent for sure, but I am not sure the verdict was just and the trial process was flawed, dubious and conducted in a hurry.

He was made scapegoat and handed a capital punishment to “show some intent”, and it's only because he is a soft target -

1. Comes from a smaller town
2. Doesn’t represent a major ethnic community of Pakistan
3. Not in one of prominent group of PAK cricket circle
4. Doesn’t have the backup of any major media house
5. No large brand as personal sponsor

Actually this, Irfan was some sort of convicted too but he getaway bcz he was fit in some of yours mentioned points. PCB first showed him the way to tell a lie then cleared his ways for cricket.

 

[Junaids]

so he admits it.


WHere are his defenders now

Nope.

He admits no corruption.

Read my thread about the ludicrous charges which were brought against him, and the PCB Tribunal’s confession that they had zero evidence against him.

The most senior PCB Executive made irresponsible and unsubstantiated accusations against him.

A Kangaroo Court, in which two of the three judges had zero legal qualifications, then found him guilty but wrote that it had no evidence and had only found him guilty because it had been claimed that he was guilty.

Now the irresponsible executive has departed, and a political deal has been made.

Sharjeel has made a vague admission to “irresponsible behaviour” and the PCB has cancelled the suspended part of his sentence.

This is not a confession. It’s a deal between two sides which just want to save face now that the accuser’s reputation no longer has to be pandered to.

 

[Junaids]

if t was flawed, Sharjeel could had taken this case and appealed to the highest sports court, which is some swiss court i think.

He was not scapegoat, and please stop making those excuses.

That is not the lesson.

The ICC cleared both Asif and Butt to play international cricket 3 years and 11 months ago, yet the PCB chose not to select them.

There would be no point in Sharjeel going to CAS in Switzerland to get his conviction overturned, because the PCB would refuse to pick him.

His only way back was what has just happened. Wait for Sethi to depart, then cut a political deal by admitting vague and mild “careless behaviour” in exchange for the PCB agreeing to cancel the rest of his ban.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

I have a feeling Sharjeel will retire a few year later and come out all guns ablaze in his autobiography on how he took this unfair deal from the vindictive PCB just so he could play.

Smart move - and hope he still has it in him.

 

[Boi]

Should only be allowed back if he gets his fitness and fielding up to the required standard where he won’t be a liability in the field. Otherwise its not worth it.

 

[jazbati]

Lol surprised at people who are still defending him. Weak case or not, He’s guilty to the core. Stop coming up with loopholes and ridiculous theories. Khalid Latif already chickened out.

 

[Mueez]

If Dean Jones becomes Pakistan’s head coach I see him making a comeback.

Boy oh boy he played some beautiful shots before his ban.

 

[Major]

Nope.

He admits no corruption.

Read my thread about the ludicrous charges which were brought against him, and the PCB Tribunal’s confession that they had zero evidence against him.

The most senior PCB Executive made irresponsible and unsubstantiated accusations against him.

A Kangaroo Court, in which two of the three judges had zero legal qualifications, then found him guilty but wrote that it had no evidence and had only found him guilty because it had been claimed that he was guilty.

Now the irresponsible executive has departed, and a political deal has been made.

Sharjeel has made a vague admission to “irresponsible behaviour” and the PCB has cancelled the suspended part of his sentence.

This is not a confession. It’s a deal between two sides which just want to save face now that the accuser’s reputation no longer has to be pandered to.

He admits corruption and that is what he apologising for

PLus, his case was even presented to an independent tribunal who also found him guilty.

He is at the end of the day a corrupt player through his own self admission

 

[Major]

That is not the lesson.

The ICC cleared both Asif and Butt to play international cricket 3 years and 11 months ago, yet the PCB chose not to select them.

There would be no point in Sharjeel going to CAS in Switzerland to get his conviction overturned, because the PCB would refuse to pick him.

His only way back was what has just happened. Wait for Sethi to depart, then cut a political deal by admitting vague and mild “careless behaviour” in exchange for the PCB agreeing to cancel the rest of his ban.

Again no.

There is a point in going to CAS in Switzerland. If he is innocent he can easily appeal it there.

There is a reason why many players dont appeal in CAS, because appeal means if found guilty than another sentence of punishment could be added.

Asid and Butt are cleared but due to there guilty past they wont be bought in the team.

If Sharjeel had got himself proven innocent the guy can walk back..


Kamran Akmal, Umar Amin and Wahab riaz were also named in the NOTW fixing. But these cricketers were able to prove their innocence. Infact, Wahab Riaz case went on for long.

At the end of the day, Sharjeel has admitted his corruption, and i hope he stays away from Pakistan team.

 

[Markhor]

Punish corrupt cricketers unless they're talented. In that case they're innocent.

Pakistan cricket fan logic.

 

[Major]

Whats your point? None of these went to swiss courts! Both are proven corrupts who only admitted guilt in return of a shorter sentence.

and that shows they are guilty.

Because going to CAS for appeal also means that if proven guilty then there is no coming back annd thats what every guilty player fears

Hence these low life pathetic corrupt players dont appeal and yet cry about their innocence.


If one is innocent, he uses all the appeals he has, he doesnt go around saying im guilty.

 

[Major]

Punish corrupt cricketers unless they're talented. In that case they're innocent.

Pakistan cricket fan logic.

Exactly.

And what really bothers me that some of these fans pretend to act so rationale that they say that ICC judge or the PCB judge is wrong and only they are right because they read a report and assumed everything of what happened.

Same posters think ICC is against Paksitani players.

I admit i once had my doubts on Danish Kaneria but he admitted his mistakes at the end of the day, and once a person admits that shows hes corrupt.

What really amuses me is that posters here think they only admiting to extend their career. I always think that would these posters admit a crime they didnt commit to keep there jobs etc.

These players hire the best lawyers

 

[Markhor]

Why would PCB damage the credibility of their OWN premier domestic tournament by launching spot fixing cases for no reason ?!

Why go after your leading limited overs batsman (which Sharjeel was in Feb 2017 hot off a successful series in Australia) for no reason ?

If there was nothing to the allegations, why were Nasir Jamshed, Khalid Latif, Shahzaib Hasan, Mohammed Nawaz and Mohammed Irfan also banned ?

If there was nothing to the allegations, why did UK's National Crime Agency conduct a investigation ?

Remember this spot fixing scandal was uncovered by an ICC ACU tip off based on information from UK's National Crime Agency !

My god, just THINK before launching into illogical conspiracy theories.

 

[Markhor]

I have a feeling Sharjeel will retire a few year later and come out all guns ablaze in his autobiography on how he took this unfair deal from the vindictive PCB just so he could play.

Smart move - and hope he still has it in him.

Yes vindictive UK National Crime Agency and ICC ACU too.

They tipped off PCB just for the lols to screw poor Sharjeel.

 

[Junaids]

Yes vindictive UK National Crime Agency and ICC ACU too.

They tipped off PCB just for the lols to screw poor Sharjeel.

They were not involved in the Sharjeel Case, they were only involved in the Nasir Jamshed one.

You are getting confused between “fat left-handed openers with no footwork”.

The Sharjeel Tribunal reported in detail that no overseas or external agencies were involved and that no evidence whatsoever was found, but Sharjeel was convicted because of the “seniority” of his accuser.

 

[Pakhs]

and that shows they are guilty.

Because going to CAS for appeal also means that if proven guilty then there is no coming back annd thats what every guilty player fears

Hence these low life pathetic corrupt players dont appeal and yet cry about their innocence.


If one is innocent, he uses all the appeals he has, he doesnt go around saying im guilty.

ofcourse that's right.

 

[MMHS]

Why would PCB damage the credibility of their OWN premier domestic tournament by launching spot fixing cases for no reason ?!

Why go after your leading limited overs batsman (which Sharjeel was in Feb 2017 hot off a successful series in Australia) for no reason ?

If there was nothing to the allegations, why were Nasir Jamshed, Khalid Latif, Shahzaib Hasan, Mohammed Nawaz and Mohammed Irfan also banned ?

If there was nothing to the allegations, why did UK's National Crime Agency conduct a investigation ?

Remember this spot fixing scandal was uncovered by an ICC ACU tip off based on information from UK's National Crime Agency !

My god, just THINK before launching into illogical conspiracy theories.

I am certain that SK is guilty - to some extent. At least, he agreed to an illegal contract, but might have scared out of performing it eventually, or simply couldn't act upon as per script. In that regard, he MUST be punished.

My point always was that PCB's motive was to find a soft target, punish him harshly and make it an example as well as use it to usher PSL's image. For that, the trial was conducted with a vested interest and SK was made scapegoat without giving a fair chance, because PCB knew they can manage the backlash (of banning a player) for a player qualifies for the few points I mentioned in earlier post (s).

With the sort of evidence & exhibits presented, it can't be proved definitively - just like any murder trial, police try to present the weapon as exhibits; for such corruption cases, you must have to establish money trails, which PCB failed to do (the tinted trio would have got away with minimum punishments/fines without the money trails). That's itself is enough to damage the merit of the case substantially.

Here, my point is - based on intension or circumstantial evidence, was it fair for Sharjeel to be banned for 5 years. It's almost like life ban - he won't have made it back at official 35. We should remember one thing is that the 5 years ban was for total isolation, even from using any facilities of PCB/ICC, it's associates and even the clubs/tournaments listed under every board affiliated with ICC. Even had he kept his hunger after return, it would have taken two more seasons in domestics just to put him in contention.

I am all for punishing SK - but, that's through financial penalization; based on the evidences presented or proved. Make it sadistically harsh - ban from PSL for 5 years, no central contract, one time fine of XYZ millions (to be paid up front or staggered payment over years but including interest), put him at bottom tier for match fees, block him from any leadership position at any level .… what not. But, the guy didn't deserve a kick on his belly basket like this - there are so many crooks in PAK cricket still proudly holding high stakes in PCB/Media, living a celebrity life.

And now, what they have done is a bigger farce - 5 years ban can be reduced to two if SK accepts his guilt and apologises!!!! He is too old to make it count but for a young cricketer like Shadab, it actually is quite a good proposition - keep making illegal money whenever possible (for fixing), when caught, make a deal for the cost of 2 years ….. come back at 23-24; 3 years clean life and again 3 years Project ……. he can repeat the cycle 4-5 times starting at this age.

 

[Justcrazy]

Tainted players should not be allowed to play International cricket. I was also against Amir.

PCB should not compromise on such issues.

 

[sshakir411]

For how talented this guy is he’s equally dumb. I want him back but not sure he has the mental capability to become the player we want home to (based off his stupid fixing incident and how he handled the whole thing).

 

[Markhor]

They were not involved in the Sharjeel Case, they were only involved in the Nasir Jamshed one.

You are getting confused between “fat left-handed openers with no footwork”.

The Sharjeel Tribunal reported in detail that no overseas or external agencies were involved and that no evidence whatsoever was found, but Sharjeel was convicted because of the “seniority” of his accuser.

Andrew Ephgrave of the National Crime Agency testified against Sharjeel, as did Ronnie Flanagan of the ICC ACU. They are named in the Tribunal Report.

It was widely reported the NCA tipped ICC/PCB off about the bookie Yousef Anwar, a British national, who was involved with the accused players.

 

[shaz619]

Aamir has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that even the smallest association with fixing must be punished regardless severely and the player should be banned for life, no second chances.

 

[ads101]

Tainted players should not be allowed to play International cricket. I was also against Amir.

PCB should not compromise on such issues.

Glad others are of this attitude. It's crazy as a nation how lenient we are on fixing, and then get shocked when it happens again and again.

If we don't let Sharjeel back though, he will always point at Amir. Same how Salman and Asif do. At least both of those you can make a claim too old or Salman's case not good enough. I argued a lot against Amir, but once we did that we really just opened the flood gates for others to return.

PCB needs to issue a statement saying fixers will never be allowed to play international cricket. If we wanted to bend the rules to get Amir back which was wrong, at the very least we should have made the statement after he returned. They keep leaving the door open for fixers to return, and hence cricketers will continue to fix. We need to adopt a harder approach. It's embarrassing how lenient we are when most other countries would have banned them for life.

 

[Junaids]

Andrew Ephgrave of the National Crime Agency testified against Sharjeel, as did Ronnie Flanagan of the ICC ACU. They are named in the Tribunal Report.

It was widely reported the NCA tipped ICC/PCB off about the bookie Yousef Anwar, a British national, who was involved with the accused players.

No, they testified that the PSL had been corrupted.

The Sharjeel findings explicitly state that no evidence was produced against him.

Goodness knows, I think he is a Jason Roy-style hack with useless footwork.

But I must keep repeating, there was never any evidence against him.

https://www.pcb.com.pk/downloads/anti%20corruption%20tribunal%20decision%20sharjeel%20khan%208-9-17.pdf

 

[kk1992]

Apology accepted but should not be rehabilitated back into PCB in any capacity.

PCB needs to take a firm stand on this to completely eliminate fixing.

1) Every player given domestic Cap, PSL cap, and Pak international cap must be thoroughly educated on fixing.

2) anyone found guilty must be permanently banned from any official cricketing related fields.

 

[Junaids]

Aamir has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that even the smallest association with fixing must be punished regardless severely and the player should be banned for life, no second chances.

Since we are on good terms, I hope that you don't mind that I have chosen you to argue with on this point.

I think that there is a major problem with taking a "Zero Tolerance, We Don't Pick Them Even After Their Ban Finishes" approach.

Firstly, it's a bit like the use of the Death Penalty in the USA. If you are a criminal who has just seriously assaulted or raped a person, the extreme punishment acts as an incentive to kill your victim to reduce your chances of getting caught.

Secondly, I think there is a degree of denial about just how widespread fixing is in white ball cricket. Relatively recent players with whom I have spoken tell me that the players don't view T20 so much as a genuine sport as as a moneyspinning venture to top up their income, with the result that "harmless" fixes are virtually universal. Ed Hawkins' book, if you remember, contained the explosive revelation that in Pakistan's World Cup semi-final run chase in 2011 at Chandrigarh he was given the script for the Pakistan innings at the innings break.

I have no idea whether he is telling the truth, and I know that the ICC chose not to investigate his claims even though the legal advice which led to the book being cleared for publication appears to support the claims. What I do know is that the Pakistan batting order that day was Hafeez, Kamran Akmal, Shafiq, Younis, Misbah and Umar Akmal, ironically with only Kamran Akmal and Umar Akmal scoring at the required run rate.

My point is that we turn fixing into a black and white issue, yet many of the players whom we consider to be clean may or may not be implicated themselves.

And that in turn is a problem. I was told long ago that the 1999 World Cup was corrupt from top to bottom, across every team, and when you are given such information you see things like the absurd semi-final run-out in a very different light. Particularly when within a year it emerged that that same South African captain had discussed bribes with the whole dressing room, and was banned for life for actually taking them.

But still nobody makes the association to say Was There an Issue with the "You Just Dropped the World Cup" drop by Herschelle Gibbs? who actually had agreed to take a different bribe. Nobody has ever investigated whether the Klusener/Donald runout was real or fixed.

Most of the stars of 1999 ended up in senior positions in cricket administration. Within the last five years Pakistan has given positions of authority to Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Mushtaq Ahmed and Inzamam-ul-Haq, all of whom were found guilty of fixing offences by Justice Qayyum.

I suspect that 90% or more of the fixers of yesteryear have never been investigated by their countries or the ICC. We have then moved to an auction model for the IPL: you could not even imagine a better design for a process to launder fixing money into seemingly legitimate income.

Hardly any countries take a serious approach to cleaning up their cricket. Just look at Cricket Australia: all the evidence - encapsulated by Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Marsh's bowling averages - suggest that sandpapering of the ball started no later than the February 2016 tour of New Zealand and continued until they were caught at Cape Town. Even if you don't accept that, the reason why Fanie De Villiers got his TV crew to follow the ball around the fielders was because he recognised two Tests earlier at Durban that the ball was somehow being tampered with.

But Cricket Australia made the terms of reference of their investigation state that tampering happened once only, that day at Cape Town, and in doing so ensured that no additional players - notably the bowlers and the new captain behind the stumps - came under scrutiny for their involvement. Similarly, I will name no names, but Australia's run rate against Zimbabwe at the 2011 World Cup is another incident that they have chosen never to investigate.

I have no reason to believe that fixing is any different. Boards basically ignore it and it only gets discovered by newspapers or the Delhi Police!

Pakistan could have had 3 years and 11 months of Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt who would probably both be retiring now. We have seen Australia recall Smith, Warner and Bancroft the second that their punishments ended.

Yet only Pakistan punishes itself by excluding rehabilitated former offenders who have served their sentence, while the opposition recalls people instantly and also fails to investigate dubious conduct.

 

[KhanNn]

so he admits it.


WHere are his defenders now

I HONESTLY think he is forced to say that. What choice does he have?

To Not play another 2 and a half years? Or admit guilt and play for your livelihood? I would apologise even if I hadn't done anything rather than waste valuable years

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

It just doesn't feel right for some reason. He already lost the case 1,5 years back and could have apologized then in order to hasten his return, but didn't.

Is he saying sorry because he has no other way out now? Whatever the case it just doesn't seem right both ways.

 

[Junaids]

I HONESTLY think he is forced to say that. What choice does he have?

To Not play another 2 and a half years? Or admit guilt and play for your livelihood? I would apologise even if I hadn't done anything rather than waste valuable years

He has admitted nothing apart from "irresponsible conduct".

This was clearly a deal done between a player who had to apologise for something to be allowed back, and a Board which knew that he was innocent but had earlier convicted him to show support for its then-boss, whose unsubstantiated allegations had had to be acted on.

It's a case of what can go wrong when you are run by a person who has political patronage, but who shoots his mouth off when he has no evidence to back his accusations.

You end up convening a Kangaroo Court of non-legal "judges" to arrive at a verdict to please your political master. But when there is a change of political patronage you are left with an innocent man banned, and with no continuing reason to continue to pervert justice to back up your former boss.

 

[KhanNn]

Spot on Junaids!