Banned Sharjeel replaced by Leicestershire

New Zealand wicket-keeper batsman Ronchi inducted by English county side


Afp March 16, 2017
Opening batsman was provisionally banned amid allegations of corruption. PHOTO: AFP

LONDON: New Zealand's Luke Ronchi is to replace Sharjeel Khan as one of Leicestershire's overseas players in English county cricket's T20 Blast following the Pakistan batsman's domestic suspension for match-fixing, it emerged Wednesday.

Both Sharjeel and Khalid Latif were suspended and then charged last month by the Pakistan Cricket Board after being accused of meeting a suspicious person linked to an international betting syndicate during the Twenty20 Pakistan Super League tournament.

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Last year, Sharjeel struck a blistering 59 as he and Latif shared a century stand during Pakistan's crushing nine-wicket win over England in a Twenty20 international at Old Trafford.

But with Sharjeel's cricket future uncertain while a tribunal considers his case, Leicestershire will look to wicketkeeper-batsman Ronchi, who has a strike rate of 141.33 in 32 Twenty20 internationals to provide similar fireworks.

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"The contractual status of Sharjeel is a private matter between Leicestershire CCC and the player, and so unfortunately it is not something that we are able to comment on at this stage," said a club statement.

Meanwhile Ronchi, 35, told the club's website: "I am delighted to have signed with Leicestershire Foxes for the NatWest T20 Blast. I love playing county cricket and can't wait to get started with my new team-mates," added Ronchi, who has previously played for Somerset and Birmingham (Warwickshire) and featured in every match of New Zealand's run to the 2015 World Cup final.

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Meanwhile it was also announced that Ronchi's fellow New Zealand international Matt Henry will play in the Blast for Leicestershire's Midlands rivals Derbyshire.

The 25-year-old fast-bowler appeared in county cricket for Worcestershire last year.

COMMENTS (1)

Quresh | 7 years ago | Reply Greed made his life so miserable. Great lesson for all.
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