Enough evidence against Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif on spot-fixing: PCB [Update #674]

[Abdullah719]

The Pakistan Cricket Board have today provisionally suspended two players under its Anti-Corruption Code as part of an ongoing investigation into an international syndicate which is believed to be attempting to corrupt the Pakistan Super League which started in Dubai yesterday.

Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif have been suspended and the rigorous and wide-ranging investigation by the PCB supported by the ICC will continue as part of collective efforts to protect the integrity of the sport.

Najam Sethi, Chairman of the PSL said: “It would not be appropriate to comment on the specifics of the case, however this investigation is a clear demonstration of our determination to drive corruption out of our sport. We will not tolerate any form of corrupt activity and as this investigation proceeds we will not hesitate to take further decisive action as appropriate.

“The investigation of the PCB Anti-Corruption Unit backed by the ICC ACU has been effective in dealing with this case to date and we will continue to work in the closest collaboration as the investigation proceeds. We are all absolutely committed to relentlessly pursuing anyone who would seek to damage the integrity of our sport.”

Chairman PCB, Mian Shaharyar M. Khan said, “I must remind all players of their responsibilities in the fight against corruption. They must understand that if they even think they may have been the subject of a suspicious approach, it is their obligation under the PCB Anti-Corruption Code to report it to an appropriate anti-corruption official as a matter of urgency.”

“Under no circumstances will the PCB condone actions of a few individuals to bring disrepute to the game of cricket or taint the image of Pakistan.”

The PCB and the ICC will not make any further comment in respect of ongoing investigation.

[kingusama92]

Might be a suspension until further notice so they can investigate?

I could be wrong.

[aliasad1998]

Might be a suspension until further notice so they can investigate?

I could be wrong.

I think that is it

[Deception]

Why would you announce such thing in live commentary ! Strange shocker actually

[shah_1]

Shameful by Sharjeel

[aliasad1998]

Wth... Hope this is just a precautionary thing and they haven't done anything wrong. Khalid is an experienced guy and Sharjeel would never do something like this. Sharjeel is the most important batsman in our Limited Overs teams

[angrypathan]

Just when we found a good opener

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Just when we found a good opener

Two good openers. I was wondering just today why Latif hadn't figured in Australia.

Anyway, par for the course with Pakistan cricket. Might as just wind the game up there and turn out the lights.

[MRSN]

Two good openers. I was wondering just today why Latif hadn't figured in Australia.

Anyway, par for the course with Pakistan cricket. Might as just wind the game up there and turn out the lights.

Latif is a hack anyway. Sharjeel could be serious loss though.

[Jabo]

I cant say I'm surprised with sharjeel

He gives off the vibe of a lazy guy who gives no ....

[yasir]

What exactly is the issue? - Is it drugs, fixing or some infighting within players??

[Yatoo]

Le. Gaya eak aur player corruption ki bhaint

[imranraf]

Looks like they were engaged in some betting or some other sorts of corruption. Sad to see Sharjeel in the list.

[Hamza_]

Don't think Sharjeel would do something like that

[kingusama92]

Don't think Sharjeel would do something like that

Everyone said the same thing about Asif, Amir, and Butt.

BUT, this is precautionary for now.

[shah_1]

Don't think Sharjeel would do something like that

ohh come on

[KhanNn]

Don't think Sharjeel would do something like that

Wellll, we thought Amir wouldn't do such a thing....even though he had the world at his feet.

[jazbati]

We can sort of guess why. It will just give PSL a bad name.

[kingusama92]

What exactly is the issue? - Is it drugs, fixing or some infighting within players??

Fixing.

[yasir]

Fixing.

That's terrible terrible news, he is the only modern day batsman we have

[angrypathan]

Why would you announce such thing in live commentary ! Strange shocker actually

Yeah I too was very surprised by the announcement being made by the commentators

[sshakir411]

were they seen hanging with the wrong crowd? Why does this even have to come out in public until something is found?

[kingusama92]

were they seen hanging with the wrong crowd? Why does this even have to come out in public until something is found?

Probably as a deterrent.

Still, no need to announce it in the middle of an ongoing match.

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Probably as a deterrent.

Still, no need to announce it in the middle of an ongoing match.

probably wanted to preempt any media reporting

[pakistanigoneaussie]

ahhh damn it i hope this is a misunderstanding

loosing Sharjeel sinks our odi team, he is more crucial than any other player

just shocking , these fools never learn

[ads101]

ahhh damn it i hope this is a misunderstanding

loosing Sharjeel sinks our odi team, he is more crucial than any other player

just shocking , these fools never learn

Which is why we should have banned the trio for life. The fact you can fix get banned for five years and then come back (even in international cricket) just isn't a strong enough deterrent. Fixers could arguably make more money in a few fixing games than in five years (Especially if they are in and out the international team). Take away their entire career though and have life bans, and cricketers will think twice before fixing.

[Pakpak]

Which is why we should have banned the trio for life. The fact you can fix get banned for five years and then come back (even in international cricket) just isn't a strong enough deterrent. Fixers could arguably make more money in a few fixing games than in five years (Especially if they are in and out the international team). Take away their entire career though and have life bans, and cricketers will think twice before fixing.

Stupid post.

Butt, Asif and Amir got jailed too and except Amir the other two aren't coming back. If people aren't deterred by JAIL time and humiliation then the length of bans won't do jack. Murders carry death sentences, yet people still do them.

[Indiafan]

Stupid post.

Butt, Asif and Amir got jailed too and except Amir the other two aren't coming back. If people aren't deterred by JAIL time and humiliation then the length of bans won't do jack. Murders carry death sentences, yet people still do them.

Amir was still treated like a hero throughout his jail time and ban and fans were waiting for him to automatically come back to the team, which he did. All fans and emerging players will see is that he was treated like a hero

Anyways, for this news, it might be a minor thing, lets wait and see

[Pakpak]

Amir was still treated like a hero throughout his jail time and ban and fans were waiting for him to automatically come back to the team, which he did. All fans and emerging players will see is that he was treated like a hero

Anyways, for this news, it might be a minor thing, lets wait and see

He wasn't treated like a hero, treating him like a hero would mean appreciating his actions. Which no sane person did. People agreed with his ban but some, including a large number of ex-professionals, also argued he should have been allowed back due to his age. Butt and Asif should have been banned.

[ads101]

Stupid post.

Butt, Asif and Amir got jailed too and except Amir the other two aren't coming back. If people aren't deterred by JAIL time and humiliation then the length of bans won't do jack. Murders carry death sentences, yet people still do them.

Jail isn't a punishment for fixing. Most of the others didn't go to jail, the trio got unlucky there. What people will not do next time is to fix in England.

The cricketing punishment was five years out of the game. That's not a strong deterrent. Even the jail time, it was a short jail sentence. If I were in that position I would take a five year ban with a year or so jail time over a life ban. The latter spells the end of your career.

You can not compare this to even an average criminal let alone murders. Those who go to jail find it difficult to get any job. Companies don't want them. Yet these trio are back in domestic cricket, and one into international cricket. If you steal from a bank, they won't rehire you. Yet that's what's happened here.

The trio all deserved a second chance. But not in cricket. There's more to life than just cricket. But it just sets a bad precedent to cricket, and if we are to rid cricket of fixing we have to adopt a no tolerance policy. I would have had life bans of all forms of cricket for Butt and Asif, and a 5 year ban from cricket and a life international ban for Amir (which is showing some tolerance tbh).

We're just bending the rules generally because Amir was so talented. If it were some other cricketer who wasn't very good, I'm sure those same supporters would have wanted him to be banned for life. Representing your country is an extremely high honour, it isn't to be taken lightly.

[Pakpak]

Jail isn't a punishment for fixing. Most of the others didn't go to jail, the trio got unlucky there. What people will not do next time is to fix in England.

The cricketing punishment was five years out of the game. That's not a strong deterrent. Even the jail time, it was a short jail sentence. If I were in that position I would take a five year ban with a year or so jail time over a life ban. The latter spells the end of your career.

You can not compare this to even an average criminal let alone murders. Those who go to jail find it difficult to get any job. Companies don't want them. Yet these trio are back in domestic cricket, and one into international cricket. If you steal from a bank, they won't rehire you. Yet that's what's happened here.

The trio all deserved a second chance. But not in cricket. There's more to life than just cricket. But it just sets a bad precedent to cricket, and if we are to rid cricket of fixing we have to adopt a no tolerance policy. I would have had life bans of all forms of cricket for Butt and Asif, and a 5 year ban from cricket and a life international ban for Amir (which is showing some tolerance tbh).

We're just bending the rules generally because Amir was so talented. If it were some other cricketer who wasn't very good, I'm sure those same supporters would have wanted him to be banned for life. Representing your country is an extremely high honour, it isn't to be taken lightly.

So according to you, these two saw how Amir was banned for five years and came back, thought hey if we do this and are caught we'll be banned but will still be allowed back? Sharjeel is 28, Latif is 31. A 5 year ban would be as good as a life ban for them. Jails and bannings never act as deterrent. If they did crimes pertaining to fraud, cheating etc would vanish overnight. Greedy people will cheat regardless.

[srh]

Which is why we should have banned the trio for life. The fact you can fix get banned for five years and then come back (even in international cricket) just isn't a strong enough deterrent. Fixers could arguably make more money in a few fixing games than in five years (Especially if they are in and out the international team). Take away their entire career though and have life bans, and cricketers will think twice before fixing.

i agree. By forgiving Amir so soon we set the bad precedent. Amir has become the idol for would be fixer cricketers.

[Misia]

They were not convicted for fixing to lose a match. They were convicted for fixing to bowl no balls .. this type of betting dosent exsist. . IT was was a fake setup and they got cought red handed taking money (bribe) to ball no. balls.

[Hamza_]

Everyone said the same thing about Asif, Amir, and Butt.

BUT, this is precautionary for now.

Personally, I don't think any Pakistani Player would do after looking at something which happened with the trio. Aamir only gor out because he was 18, Sharjeel is 28 and has just got a start to his International Cricket, Seems to be an improving and down to earth guy. Very unlikely for him to be involved in such thing

[Adil_94]

i just hope that its because they failed to report an approach by bookies. If they actually agreed to take money to under perform then they should be banned.

[Yatoo]

Looks like they failed to report an approach by bookies. Is that a crime under any law? Can someone please dig that out? Don't want to lose Sharjeel at this juncture

[yasir]

i just hope that its because they failed to report an approach by bookies. If they actually agreed to take money to under perform then they should be banned.

Looks like they failed to report an approach by bookies. Is that a crime under any law? Can someone please dig that out? Don't want to lose Sharjeel at this juncture

I hope this is the only offense, does not looks like a huge deal... But why so much hue and cry about just that, you don't throw splash in media like that, but who knows, ICC is more cautious now than before...

[nighthawk23]

Looks like they failed to report an approach by bookies. Is that a crime under any law? Can someone please dig that out? Don't want to lose Sharjeel at this juncture

iirc the same happened in the BBL. The players are most likely given a list of bookies beforehand so not reporting can be serious.

[Asim2Good]

Looks like they failed to report an approach by bookies. Is that a crime under any law? Can someone please dig that out? Don't want to lose Sharjeel at this juncture

Yes it's a crime. Recently a Hong Kong player was banned for 2 years (IIRC) for not reporting an approach

[srh]

even if you dont report someone who approached you, you can get suspended

[GLORY OF '92]

Unbelievable.....

[Speedster777]

Losing Sharjeel would be terrible. He's the only modern baseman in our team.

[msb314]

Wth... Hope this is just a precautionary thing and they haven't done anything wrong. Khalid is an experienced guy and Sharjeel would never do something like this. Sharjeel is the most important batsman in our Limited Overs teams

Just when we found a good opener

ahhh damn it i hope this is a misunderstanding

loosing Sharjeel sinks our odi team, he is more crucial than any other player

just shocking , these fools never learn

That's terrible terrible news, he is the only modern day batsman we have

Looks like they failed to report an approach by bookies. Is that a crime under any law? Can someone please dig that out? Don't want to lose Sharjeel at this juncture

Losing Sharjeel would be terrible. He's the only modern baseman in our team.

You guys have the wrong way of thinking.

Crucial or not to our ODI team - he should have known better and should not get any leniency for being a "crucial" member of the ODI squad. Everyone from an ATG to a random domestic cricketer should be treated and punished the same when it comes to fixing.

[b.lesner]

dont worry guys Fakhar zaman and kamran akmal are ready made openers

[aliasad1998]

dont worry guys Fakhar zaman and kamran akmal are ready made openers

Sharjeel is 5 times better than Fakhar.

[Varun]

Shocking news.

Sharjeel Khan and Babar Azam looked like promising prospects down under.

Why does this nonsense keep happening to Pakistan cricket?

[Pakpak]

Shocking news.

Sharjeel Khan and Babar Azam looked like promising prospects down under.

Why does this nonsense keep happening to Pakistan cricket?

Why are you including Azam??

[Varun]

Why are you including Azam??

I just wanted to point out that he along with Sharjeel were the duo who earned Pakistan some good performances in the Australian ODI series.

[ads101]

Shocking news.

Sharjeel Khan and Babar Azam looked like promising prospects down under.

Why does this nonsense keep happening to Pakistan cricket?

Cos we are far to lenient on fixing.

[todfod 11]

hope it turn out to b just precautionary.

[pakistanigoneaussie]

i may be wrong but isn't failure to report still a minimum of a one year ban ?

[srh]

Khalid Latif is part of Karachi mafia so I would not be surprised if he is indeed involved in fixing.

The shocking one is Sharjeel who is from a small city Hyderabad; the big lights has gone to his head and is moving in wrong crowd.

[abughio]

Khalid Latif is part of Karachi mafia so I would not be surprised if he is indeed involved in fixing.

The shocking one is Sharjeel who is from a small city Hyderabad; the big lights has gone to his head and is moving in wrong crowd.

get your facts right man. Hyderabad is not a small city..

you can say it only in terms of cricketing history.

[from_da_lost_dim3nsion]

get your facts right man. Hyderabad is not a small city..

you can say it only in terms of cricketing history.

Sir jee , Hyderabad IS a small city .

[Kitchlew]

Never could understand, why cricketers do fixing..
May be i am wrong but i dont think it is money..
How much money could he earn by fixing ? He had 70000 pound deal with english county.. Another good psl and he would have been playing all the leagues in the world Plus being a central contracted player and match fee combined, he was making tons of money..

I think they may do it for the thrill of it, the thrill of doing something illegal and getting away with it.

[RickyG]

Khalid Latif is part of Karachi mafia so I would not be surprised if he is indeed involved in fixing.

The shocking one is Sharjeel who is from a small city Hyderabad; the big lights has gone to his head and is moving in wrong crowd.

How many Karachiites have been involved in match fixing vs the number of Punjabis?

I can't think of a single person from Karachi that has ever been accused of match fixing.

From Punjab:
Asif (Convicted)
Amir (Convicted)
Butt (Convicted)
Salim Malik (Convicted)
Ata-ur-Rehman (Convicted)
Wasim Akram (Accused)

Basit Ali and Rashid Latif were whistle blowers in the 90s and guess which city they both hail from?

[Madplayer]

If sharjeel is gone, Pakistan ODI team is doomed.

[Stallion__]

Wasn't Khalid Latif captain of Pakistan team in 2010 Asian Games where we lost to Afghanistan? That match was never properly investigated.

Nothing short of a life ban is acceptable if anyone is found guilty now.

[TalhaSyed]

I know fixing is a very delicate and sensitive issue for us Pakistani fans due to the history of Pakistani cricket, however, lets wait to get some further details before jumping to conclusions.

Of course, this doesn't look good for both players, however, remember that as things stand they are not guilty of anything (as far as we know).

As one or two others on the thread mentioned - it may even be something like an approach from a bookie which they did not report. Or may not even be that.

[super hitter]

this isn't something serious guys, just a precautionary measure against something not that big...that is how i take it!

[Indiafan]

this isn't something serious guys, just a precautionary measure against something not that big...that is how i take it!

If that was true, why would the players be sent back? Dont they have right to earn PSL money?

[Pakpak]

If that was true, why would the players be sent back? Dont they have right to earn PSL money?

Who is sent back? Source?

[super hitter]

If that was true, why would the players be sent back? Dont they have right to earn PSL money?

they've been sent back? then this may be something serious.

So what exactly does it mean? you mean to say there is a chance that Sharjeel might be susceptible to corruption? or there are doubts about his integrity? either ways not a great sign.

DEFINITELY NOT A GREAT SIGN BUT a ban for years may be on the line if they really are part of something big which seems doubtful.

[blue_champion]

this isn't something serious guys, just a precautionary measure against something not that big...that is how i take it!

So what exactly does it mean? you mean to say there is a chance that Sharjeel might be susceptible to corruption? or there are doubts about his integrity? either ways not a great sign.

[blue_champion]

Will only raise Sharjeel's stature now,once he comes back from the ban,hopefully not a calculated move by him to go to the next level of stardom

[godzilla]

well well well.

lets bring back butt and asif even sooner and keep celebrating the amazingness of amir. serves all the supporters of these criminals right.

looks like there was no deterrent provided by the trio's sentences, and I think its clear now that this bizarrely warm welcome for these criminals by the Pakistani public, fan base and media with open arms and total disregard of their criminality and treason has manifest in the inevitable continuation of corruption - the Pakistani fan base deserves everything its getting. its also astonishing to see how incompetent the pcb's educational programmes have clearly been.

its not worth reading between the leaves, and we should wait till more information is available (its probably the failure to report an approach) but even if they are exonerated, the damage once again is already done in terms of reputation.

ordinary cricket, ordinary cricketers, managerial incompetence and a never ending litany of corruption - Pakistani cricket RIP.

[Syed1]

Time to look for two new openers in T20s and a new opener in ODIs/Tests

[Hasan123]

Depressing news.

[Ahson8]

Idiots.

[shah_1]

even failing to report bookies is a crime

PCB gives so many seminars on anti corruption, these cricketers know everything of what's right or wrong They should be punished harshly so others could learn

[Abdul]

This is just sad stuff.

[moghul]

Sad, lets look beyond Sharjeel now, where there's smoke, there's fire, hope not.

[shah_1]

If it involves fixing

Should be a life ban for these cricketers, no more lenience.

[Abdul]

If it involves fixing

Should be a life ban for these cricketers, no more lenience.

How would it be fair on them if savior Amir continues to play in the national side?

[aliasad1998]

How would it be fair on them if savior Amir continues to play in the national side?

If the death penalty becomes a law in Canada then should people who commuted such a crime befire it's not implementation also be killed? Don't think this should be used as an excuse to bash Amir

[srh]

If the death penalty becomes a law in Canada then should people who commuted such a crime befire it's not implementation also be killed? Don't think this should be used as an excuse to bash Amir

Amir has to be banned for life. And so is Butt and Asif. Its the right thing to do.

[aliasad1998]

Amir has to be banned for life. And so is Butt and Asif. Its the right thing to do.

Not after being allowed back. This law should be implemented for people who get caught for fixing after it

[srh]

If it involves fixing

Should be a life ban for these cricketers, no more lenience.

also life bans for Amir, Butt and Asif

[Moiza]

Can he play in the psl?

[Hamza_]

When is PCB going to update on this?