[VIDEOS] Sharjeel Khan hopeful of playing in the 2021 T20 World Cup

[The Viper]

Sindh's opening batsman Sharjeel Khan has set himself the target of playing the T20 World Cup for Pakistan next year.

The left-hander was a regular for Pakistan but lost several years of his prime after being found guilty in the infamous spot-fixing scandal of Pakistan Super League 2017. After admitting his guilt and serving his time, Sharjeel was given a second chance by Karachi Kings in the PSL earlier this year where he did show glimpses of his former self.

Speaking to a group of journalists, Sharjeel said that his main goal remains to play for Pakistan again and make it to the T20 spectacle, which will be played in India next year.

“I played the last T20 World Cup that was played in 2016 in India. Right now my focus is on The National T20 Cup that is starting soon. I want to perform well there, get my team the title, and then make a comeback into the national side and play the World Cup next year,” he said.

The biggest knock on his career, apart from the betting scandal, has been his fitness and resultant immobility in the field. Sharjeel, however, says that he is now vastly improve on that front as well.

“I have worked the most on my fitness and improved it too,” he said. “I had been working on my fitness even during my time away from the game but after making my comeback in PSL I worked even harder. Now I will try and maintain that level and also strive to hit the standards set by the Pakistan Cricket Board.”

https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/6507-sharjeel-khan-plots-pakistan-return-by-way-of-national-t20-cup

 

[Varun]

Come on Pakistan, for once don't bring back a convicted fixer back into the fold.

Doesn't matter if he's served his time. If it keeps happening every decade, leaving him out will send a message to the newer generation.

 

[TrentDevil]

I doubt he will get back into the international circuit till Mani & Wasim are at the helm

 

[shamaan]

Come on Pakistan, for once don't bring back a convicted fixer back into the fold.

Doesn't matter if he's served his time. If it keeps happening every decade, leaving him out will send a message to the newer generation.

What about Smith and warner should they be allowed to return ?

 

[shariqnoor]

What about Smith and warner should they be allowed to return ?

Smith and Warner aren't spot fixers. They did ball tampering, that's it. So they definitely should be allowed to return. If any of our players did ball tampering, they would just get a small fine and that's it. We wouldn't even suspend them.

 

[aloo paratha]

Come on Pakistan, for once don't bring back a convicted fixer back into the fold.

Doesn't matter if he's served his time. If it keeps happening every decade, leaving him out will send a message to the newer generation.

I'd agree with you if Amir wasn't let back in. How would it be fair that Amir will play all the 2021 WT20 matches but Sharjeel can't?

 

[shamaan]

Smith and Warner aren't spot fixers. They did ball tampering, that's it. So they definitely should be allowed to return. If any of our players did ball tampering, they would just get a small fine and that's it. We wouldn't even suspend them.

But both have served their sentences.hahha Pakistan would get a bigger fine austrlia are a powerhouse they got away with it

 

[Mamoon]

No thanks.

He is fat and mediocre.

 

[Rana]

No thanks.

He is fat and mediocre.

A bit like Rishab Pant

 

[Mamoon]

A bit like Rishab Pant

You don’t understand cricket if that is what you think, but we know that already.

Pant will be one of India’s greatest match-winners while no one will remember a mediocrity like Sharjeel.

 

[Rana]

You don’t understand cricket if that is what you think, but we know that already.

Pant will be one of India’s greatest match-winners while no one will remember a mediocrity like Sharjeel.

Pant is as fat as a 5 guys burger

 

[Varun]

What about Smith and warner should they be allowed to return ?

Cheating to win is more forgivable than cheating to lose.

I'd agree with you if Amir wasn't let back in. How would it be fair that Amir will play all the 2021 WT20 matches but Sharjeel can't?

That's my point - Amir shouldn't have been let back in either. But that ship has sailed.

 

[ChTab]

What about Smith and warner should they be allowed to return ?

Smith & warner never fixed a game, they cheated to help their team. Whereas your beloved Sharjeel sold himself for few $$ & these sort of players should not come back in international cricket.

 

[ahmedzee]

Smith & warner never fixed a game, they cheated to help their team. Whereas your beloved Sharjeel sold himself for few $$ & these sort of players should not come back in international cricket.

Cheating is cheating! In both situations we should have the same point of view.

 

[shamaan]

Smith & warner never fixed a game, they cheated to help their team. Whereas your beloved Sharjeel sold himself for few $$ & these sort of players should not come back in international cricket.

One was a captain and most senior player who used a kid to cover it up

 

[Greenstorm]

He is still the most destructive batsman we have these days and will be crucial in next two T20 Worldcups.
Must be selected in next series against Zimbabwe.

 

[SARJ_BD]

Come on Pakistan, for once don't bring back a convicted fixer back into the fold.

Doesn't matter if he's served his time. If it keeps happening every decade, leaving him out will send a message to the newer generation.

Totally agree with you.

Amir should have been banned from international cricket as well. That was one sin Pakistan have committed. No excuse to do another.

Warner / Smith were not fixers, they have involved in ball tampering that 90% bowlers (including Afridi) have done at some point of their career.

 

[SARJ_BD]

Cheating is cheating! In both situations we should have the same point of view.

In that case, Afridi was caught tampering the ball. Was he supposed to be banned as well? Afridi was finned because that is the most appropriate punishment for the crime. Australia went a step further and banned Warner-Smith for a year.

Ball tempering - An act done to win matches
Spot fixing - An act done to earn illegal money

If you compare ball tempering with spot fixing, then there would be no point of arguing as you clearly are biased.

 

[Bigboii]

A bit like Rishab Pant

) )
he is way to fat to be a decent keeper
A good batsman yeah their's potential but his fitness is trash for a keeper

 

[Bigboii]

ball tampering does not equal spot fixing c'mon!!!

 

[ahmedzee]

In that case, Afridi was caught tampering the ball. Was he supposed to be banned as well? Afridi was finned because that is the most appropriate punishment for the crime. Australia went a step further and banned Warner-Smith for a year.

Ball tempering - An act done to win matches
Spot fixing - An act done to earn illegal money

If you compare ball tempering with spot fixing, then there would be no point of arguing as you clearly are biased.

In simple words, YES! He should've been banned for that silly offence. Authorities had another idea. He was stilled banned for few games and even then I thought it wasn't enough.

Cheating, as I said is cheating. Should also apply to Tendulkar, Dravid etc. for their tampering in South Africa back in 2001/02.

 

[shaz619]

Pant is as fat as a 5 guys burger

) good one, he looks it to and also the size of those 5 guys combined

 

[hitthestump]

Come on Pakistan, for once don't bring back a convicted fixer back into the fold.

Doesn't matter if he's served his time. If it keeps happening every decade, leaving him out will send a message to the newer generation.

It really isn't that simple i'm afraid. Pakistan is an economically weak country with a poorly educated populace, some of whom are extremely dangerous people. While fixing deserves a steep punishment, we cannot rule out second chances when the country is in such poor shape.

 

[shamaan]

In that case, Afridi was caught tampering the ball. Was he supposed to be banned as well? Afridi was finned because that is the most appropriate punishment for the crime. Australia went a step further and banned Warner-Smith for a year.

Ball tempering - An act done to win matches
Spot fixing - An act done to earn illegal money

If you compare ball tempering with spot fixing, then there would be no point of arguing as you clearly are biased.

Afridi tempered openly on his own
Smith actually encouraged the young kid to take part along wiz Warner behind closed doors to

 

[msb314]

I'd agree with you if Amir wasn't let back in. How would it be fair that Amir will play all the 2021 WT20 matches but Sharjeel can't?

Rules and morale standards have changed and fixers are / should be punished more harshly now..

Cannot retroactively go back and punish Amir for a from he already committed and has already served time for.

 

[Varun]

Afridi tempered openly on his own
Smith actually encouraged the young kid to take part along wiz Warner behind closed doors to

Like I said, on-field cheating to win is more forgivable than off-field cheating to lose.

 

[MenInG]

Excellent innings of 77 off 56 for Sharjeel for Sindh vs Central Punjab

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Slowly but surely Sharjeel Khan is working his way back to international cricket. Looked impressive today whilst making 77 off 56 balls including 9 fours and 2 sixes <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NationalT20Cup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NationalT20Cup</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1312094381831225345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Needs more consistent performances like today,only a couple flashes of the blade outside off,didnt throw his wicket today, solid innings.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

The way he's looking he should be vying for the Kabaddi World Cup.

 

[TeymurBlake]

He looked good but he needs to stay consistent and work on his fitness. There's quite a few young options coming through and many eyes will be on them.

 

[gazza619]

He needs to work on his B game, for example if the bowlers are quality bowlers and the wicket is bowling friendly or slow turner. For me Sharjeel easily makes the cut into the T20 squad

 

[The Viper]

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[Markhor]

Man those pictures aren't very flattering. Sharjeel really needs to work on his fitness.

Once he sorts that out then as the late Dean Jones said, Sharjeel's gotta be at the World Cup.

 

[ahmedzee]

He was very composed today and didn't play flashy shots. Played more on the ground and wasn't tempted to hit big every ball.
Needs to lose some weight and we should see him in the T20 squad for Pakistan.

 

[Savak]

Sigh, if only he could be body beautiful.

 

[Varun]

Disappointing to see replies taking his return as a given.

He's a fixing cheat. Quietly discard him.

 

[JaDed]

Cheating is cheating! In both situations we should have the same point of view.

Cheating to win and cheating to lose are different, one can't put Afridi biting the ball or IK's testimonial on reverse along the same lines as - Amir and Sharjeel.

 

[hitthestump]

His weight is absolutely unacceptable. Nobody who was truly committed would look like that after 6+ months of trying to get into shape. Ridiculous how fat he is.

 

[Rana]

i would take this fat bloke who can hit the ball up front over Imam ul Haq or any other accumulator the PCB is planning to work with for the T20 wc

 

[Hasan123]

Don't want anything to do with this fixer. We need to set a precedent, if you spot fix or match fix you won't represent Pakistan again. The younger players and people who want to represent Pakistan in the future can see from Amir and Sharjeel that you can fix and play for Pakistan again.

Sharjeel is a talented player and without his conviction for fixing I would want him in our LO team. But I don't want a dishonest cheat to represent Pakistan. I was for Amir returning, but in hindsight that is where PCB should have laid down the law. If you fix, you aren't playing for Pakistan again. I really hope PCB say they won't select Sharjeel due to him being involved in spot fixing.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Let’s have this conversation after he has a crazy season. No reason to just clamor for his comeback over one knock.

 

[shamaan]

His weight is absolutely unacceptable. Nobody who was truly committed would look like that after 6+ months of trying to get into shape. Ridiculous how fat he is.

Hes working on fitness but will take time cant expect results overnight

 

[shamaan]

i would take this fat bloke who can hit the ball up front over Imam ul Haq or any other accumulator the PCB is planning to work with for the T20 wc

Defo its t20 anyway fitness comes into it more in odis and tests

 

[shamaan]

Don't want anything to do with this fixer. We need to set a precedent, if you spot fix or match fix you won't represent Pakistan again. The younger players and people who want to represent Pakistan in the future can see from Amir and Sharjeel that you can fix and play for Pakistan again.

Sharjeel is a talented player and without his conviction for fixing I would want him in our LO team. But I don't want a dishonest cheat to represent Pakistan. I was for Amir returning, but in hindsight that is where PCB should have laid down the law. If you fix, you aren't playing for Pakistan again. I really hope PCB say they won't select Sharjeel due to him being involved in spot fixing.

But if anir was given a chance so should sharjeel if they didnt give amir a chance then I'd say no to sharjeel

 

[Usman]

Hes working on fitness but will take time cant expect results overnight

Disagree with this. He looks obese. After 6 months training and correct diet, he shouldn't look like this. If he had that burning desire to play for Pakistan, he wouldn't look like this.

 

[shamaan]

Disagree with this. He looks obese. After 6 months training and correct diet, he shouldn't look like this. If he had that burning desire to play for Pakistan, he wouldn't look like this.

In the fitness test he got 17.3 which is same as imad or maybe slightly lower I fink the pass mark is 17.4 so he is getting fitter

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

Don't care for him to come back but with regard to him am I wrong but I thought he was approached and said no but didn't report?

Maybe I am misremembering the story - if someone could clarify.

 

[naseem]

Sharjeel is a must for LOI sides big upgrade over Imam Fakhar Abid.....

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Slowly but surely Sharjeel Khan is working his way back to international cricket. Looked impressive today whilst making 77 off 56 balls including 9 fours and 2 sixes <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NationalT20Cup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NationalT20Cup</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1312094381831225345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Video of his effort yesterday.

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/x1gui3" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

 

[Arsal_AK]

Why do we need him again with guys like Haider, Abdullah and Zeeshan coming through. And let's be honest, the first two especially, are much better.

Sharjeel's fitness is a joke, which in turns affects his batting, his running and his fielding. We need to put the foot down and stop even considering people who have the potential to lose 10-15 runs each game because they couldn't be bothered to get in a decent shape. Same goes for the likes of Imad.

And it looks like he is no hurry to get better, plus he is a proven fixer. Given all the baggage he brings with him, and there being alternatives, this should be a simple decision.

 

[Darkrai]

We need to move on from fixers, unprofessional, ungrateful players like Sharjeel and Amir. They show no respect for the game and opportunities they have been given.

After wasting so many years with guys like him, Amir, Umer, etc, it's time we identify players with the right skill set who take this sport seriously. Some of those may be the young players who look promising in the ongoing tournament. It is great to see their fitness levels and hunger to succeed, but they must be groomed properly by the PCB.

When IK was in the US, in his speech, he said we will see a more professional Pakistan cricket team, but that has not been the case. Forget the players, the PCB itself has been unprofessional in many ways.

Change is needed!! And Sharjeel Khan is not it.

 

[Usman]

In the fitness test he got 17.3 which is same as imad or maybe slightly lower I fink the pass mark is 17.4 so he is getting fitter

All this does is make me concerned for Imad and think why he's lacking so badly in his fitness. I'm sorry but in the video posted above by [MENTION=147674]The Viper[/MENTION], Sharjeel looks really big. It's no excuse to say he's getting fitter - he's has literally years out the game so he's had plenty of opportunity. Clearly he's been on a bad diet and just has not put the hours required in the gym during his absence from the game. Not good enough.

I get that in past eras, no one cares about fitness but times have changed. It's no longer the case that there's one Jonty Rhodes in the world who everyone admires - every team in the world is full of Johnty Rhodes these days. In order to compete, we simply cannot be carrying passengers in the field which Sharjeel clearly is.

 

[SensiblePakFan]

If Usman Qadir can lose weight and look good, so can Sharjeel.

 

[shamaan]

All this does is make me concerned for Imad and think why he's lacking so badly in his fitness. I'm sorry but in the video posted above by [MENTION=147674]The Viper[/MENTION], Sharjeel looks really big. It's no excuse to say he's getting fitter - he's has literally years out the game so he's had plenty of opportunity. Clearly he's been on a bad diet and just has not put the hours required in the gym during his absence from the game. Not good enough.

I get that in past eras, no one cares about fitness but times have changed. It's no longer the case that there's one Jonty Rhodes in the world who everyone admires - every team in the world is full of Johnty Rhodes these days. In order to compete, we simply cannot be carrying passengers in the field which Sharjeel clearly is.

Thiers also a tweet that someone asked dean jones about sharjeel fitness and dean jones stated that sharjeel is sending him vidoes on hit fitness so he is working on it.it should be one rule for everyone is sharjeel isnt fit enough so isnt yasir shah imad waseem and so on

 

[naseem]

Pak need Sharjeel to utilise power play overs in t20s.....and give an impetus or laid a platform for big total....
A half fit Sharjeel is 100 times better than fully fit Imam Ahsan Ali Fakhar Abid combined.......he would be great foil for Babar ....at the top

 

[naseem]

We need to move on from fixers, unprofessional, ungrateful players like Sharjeel and Amir. They show no respect for the game and opportunities they have been given.

After wasting so many years with guys like him, Amir, Umer, etc, it's time we identify players with the right skill set who take this sport seriously. Some of those may be the young players who look promising in the ongoing tournament. It is great to see their fitness levels and hunger to succeed, but they must be groomed properly by the PCB.

When IK was in the US, in his speech, he said we will see a more professional Pakistan cricket team, but that has not been the case. Forget the players, the PCB itself has been unprofessional in many ways.

Change is needed!! And Sharjeel Khan is not it.

Amir is also a fixer and a much grave fixed than Sharjeel ...against whom allegations are shallow ...and no has no base

 

[Varun]

Even if he comes back, what was so great about him anyway?

Would be as mediocre as the 30-averaging Amir.

 

[Mobashir]

Even if he comes back, what was so great about him anyway?

Would be as mediocre as the 30-averaging Amir.

The way he played Starc, Hazlewwod and Cummins In Australia was great.
No other opener Can attack them like this, even Roy/Bairstow.

 

[naseem]

How long can PCB kept pulling him back....any other board would have included him in National side by now

 

[naseem]

The way he played Starc, Hazlewwod and Cummins In Australia was great.
No other opener Can attack them like this, even Roy/Bairstow.

That was disdainful 2 say the least

 

[shamaan]

Pak need Sharjeel to utilise power play overs in t20s.....and give an impetus or laid a platform for big total....
A half fit Sharjeel is 100 times better than fully fit Imam Ahsan Ali Fakhar Abid combined.......he would be great foil for Babar ....at the top

Agreed fakhar has had to many opportunity sharjeel is much better hes playing of pure fast bowling is top notch

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Another soft dismissal, edged outside off to the keeper, same lazy mistakes which he shouldve worked on years. ago

 

[LordJames]

No excuse for him being unfit, makes him a liability in the field. With plenty of young guys coming up who are fit his place is in Jeopardy.

 

[shamaan]

No excuse for him being unfit, makes him a liability in the field. With plenty of young guys coming up who are fit his place is in Jeopardy.

Csn they play with the same aggression as sharjeel can they play pure pace

 

[Rana]

No excuse for him being unfit, makes him a liability in the field. With plenty of young guys coming up who are fit his place is in Jeopardy.

They still got to be able to bat. For me the batsman matters and not the appearance of the batsman. Plenty of fat blokes in the IPL earning big dollars due to their batting expertise

 

[naseem]

He will prove his worth pretty soon

 

[The Viper]

Another good score for Sharjeel - 90 off 56 balls against KPK.

 

[Rana]

Surprisingly a lot of 55 ball 90s in this tournament, that too by top 3 players.

 

[Omer2002]

he is defo better than fakhar which is a walking wicket

 

[tyron_woodley]

Deserves a chance, select him. He looks good to me. Not sure if he is good vs bouncers though. Let's see

 

[naseem]

I have said it earlier if it was any board in place of PCB.....Sharjeel would have been playing for Pakistan now..... It's a shame 2 keep an impactful player like him out

 

[OldWarHorse]

Good player. Perfect for this format

 

[shamaan]

Deserves a chance, select him. He looks good to me. Not sure if he is good vs bouncers though. Let's see

That's his strength

 

[Pacy with wisdom]

Deserves a chance, select him. He looks good to me. Not sure if he is good vs bouncers though. Let's see

He is one of the best players of the short ball in the world. Have you not ever watched him play?
Go watch what he has done to the quickest bowlers in the world when they have bowled short to him.

 

[tyron_woodley]

He is one of the best players of the short ball in the world. Have you not ever watched him play?
Go watch what he has done to the quickest bowlers in the world when they have bowled short to him.

That's good then. Why isn't he picked? I thought only India had the political selection bias. Turns out Pakistan are not much different.

Every time I have seen a Pakistani T20 game, sharjeel stood out to me. He should be picked.

 

[leg-side-flick]

If as a player you have a history of fixing / spot fixing then Pakistan is the best place. Nowhere else do fans crave for fixers as much as in Pakistan

 

[Rana]

If as a player you have a history of fixing / spot fixing then Pakistan is the best place. Nowhere else do fans crave for fixers as much as in Pakistan

Dave Warner and Steven Smith are captains of IPL franchises...

 

[silentkiller187]

If as a player you have a history of fixing / spot fixing then Pakistan is the best place. Nowhere else do fans crave for fixers as much as in Pakistan

What did he actually do though, do you know? i would argue it was just as serious as wen Mcculum held back approaches from the Cairns saga, still revered in your parts, got a nice gig in the IPL, cheating is cheating in my opinion, but you have to be consistent across the board and treat everyone the same, ICC should set a president, life time international bans?

 

[MenInG]

Brilliant innings by Sharjeel Khan 90 off 56 balls

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