Sharjeel’s ban met with mixed reception

Some feel five-year ban is overly harsh while others feel it isn’t harsh enough

KARACHI: The cricketing fraternity stands divided in the wake of Islamabad United opener Sharjeel Khan’s five-year ban on spot-fixing.

Test spin ace Danish Kaneria, who has also been banned for life for a fixing offence, said that if Sharjeel Khan has accepted all his mistakes and involvement in the spot-fixing case, then he cannot appeal the decision. “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.”

However, the former spinner feels the ban is just. “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.”

Talking about PCB’s appeal to impose a life-time ban on Sharjeel, he said, “I have heard that the PCB is asking to impose a life-ban, which according to me is not right since they allowed Mohammad Amir to come back so why not Sharjeel?”

Sharjeel is a good man, says Shoaib

Test cricketer Shoaib Muhammad said the decision may yet be overturned. “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.

Shaoib also revealed he had a soft spot for the left-handed opener. “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.”

The tribunal is correct: Qasim

Another Test spinner, Iqbal Qasim, supported the tribunal’s decision. “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.”

Qasim feels some players let fame get to their head after being praised too much by fans and the media. “Every player should be taught by their parents and coaches to not to be involved in such things since they will get the money anyways; all they need to do is wait for it,” he added.