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

[Jabo]

No new information yet?

I don't expect the players to come out and say they are guilty when they know it will pretty much end their career.

Even for a failure to report, if they have left it for a couple of days, they should still get a 2 year ban.

[Hamza_]

They have denied all other charges except failure to report. Now are preparing their response as to why they failed to report.

[MenInG]

In response to charges against them, Sharjeel Khan & Khalid Latif have only admitted to a disciplinary violation & not spot-fixing #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) March 3, 2017

[Hamza_]

^They are submitting their response today, I think?

[Sherlock]

Oh Sethi and co, your insane need for being to be looked upon as the good guys has come back to bite you in the backside...

Such idiocy

[Gabbar Singh]

What is the ban length, if any, for failure to report an approach from a bookie or similar person?

[Junaids]

What is the ban length, if any, for failure to report an approach from a bookie or similar person?

For the ICC, it's the same as actually fixing - a mandatory, minimum 5 year ban.

Which is why the failure to charge Brendon McCullum has caused so much anger, given that he gave evidence sworn on oath at Southwark Magistrates Court in London that he waited 2.5 years before reporting an alleged illegal approach by a famous former team-mate (who was found not guilty of the charge).

McCullum's evidence was tantamount to a confession, yet he wasn't even charged. It will be extraordinary if Sharjeel Khan is punished for an offence that McCullum was never even charged for, even after he confessed.

[Pakpak]

What is the ban length, if any, for failure to report an approach from a bookie or similar person?

For the ICC, it's the same as actually fixing - a mandatory, minimum 5 year ban.

Which is why the failure to charge Brendon McCullum has caused so much anger, given that he gave evidence sworn on oath at Southwark Magistrates Court in London that he waited 2.5 years before reporting an alleged illegal approach by a famous former team-mate (who was found not guilty of the charge).

McCullum's evidence was tantamount to a confession, yet he wasn't even charged. It will be extraordinary if Sharjeel Khan is punished for an offence that McCullum was never even charged for, even after he confessed.

Its 2 years. Not 5.

[Hamza_]

For the ICC, it's the same as actually fixing - a mandatory, minimum 5 year ban.

Which is why the failure to charge Brendon McCullum has caused so much anger, given that he gave evidence sworn on oath at Southwark Magistrates Court in London that he waited 2.5 years before reporting an alleged illegal approach by a famous former team-mate (who was found not guilty of the charge).

McCullum's evidence was tantamount to a confession, yet he wasn't even charged. It will be extraordinary if Sharjeel Khan is punished for an offence that McCullum was never even charged for, even after he confessed.

@Junaids What do you think PCB will do? Let off with a fine? Or 6month to year bans?

Also considering the fact that they were given addressed regarding reporting an approach recently, There has to be a really rock solid reason for not reporting. Which I guess could possibly be NJ?

[Junaids]

@Junaids What do you think PCB will do? Let off with a fine? Or 6month to year bans?

Also considering the fact that they were given addressed regarding reporting an approach recently, There has to be a really rock solid reason for not reporting. Which I guess could possibly be NJ?

I think it has to be a very heavy ban to discourage others from doing the same thing.

I'd be happy to see the Amir/Asif/Butt 5 year term used.

The problem is, I wonder when these players were first recruited. I have a horrible feeling that most Asian cricketers are first sucked in around the time they make their domestic debut, for tiny amounts of money.

[super hitter]

congrats @mz123

So we get our sharjeel back, yeah!

[Indiafan]

congrats @mz123

So we get our sharjeel back, yeah!

why do you think all of pcb's claim is dependent only on players confession?

[Pakpak]

why do you think all of pcb's claim is dependent only on players confession?

Is your job here just to disagree with posters? I can't believe once upon a time you were my favorite Indian poster here. Haven't you seen enough from the PCB in the final fiasco or the daily polar opposite statements by SK and Sethi to realise what an incompetent board everyone is dealing with?

[Hamza_]

PCB have really spoiled reputation of its top players if it's mere failure to report and also due to some specific reason (They might know better why they were unable to report).

And making media circus all around has brought more disgrace and negative popularity to Pakistan.

[Madplayer]

Is your job here just to disagree with posters? I can't believe once upon a time you were my favorite Indian poster here. Haven't you seen enough from the PCB in the final fiasco or the daily polar opposite statements by SK and Sethi to realise what an incompetent board everyone is dealing with?

I think he has asked a fair question. We dont believe the PCB but we shouldn't believe sharjeel either. Let all the facts after investigation come out. I'm sure most things will get clear.

[srh]

In response to charges against them, Sharjeel Khan & Khalid Latif have only admitted to a disciplinary violation & not spot-fixing #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) March 3, 2017

The PCB board of directors should fire Sethi for incompetence and lying

[Syed1]

But but but Sethi said Sharjeel had done what the bookies had asked him to do.


Imran Khan was so right, a corrupt person like Sethi cannot be trusted. When the legend speaks you stop everything that you are doing and you LISTEN.


Haters going to hate.

[Hamza_]

I think he has asked a fair question. We dont believe the PCB but we shouldn't believe sharjeel either. Let all the facts after investigation come out. I'm sure most things will get clear.

But here we have clear lack of transparency, evidence and contracting statements.

[Hamza_]

But but but Sethi said Sharjeel had done what the bookies had asked him to do.


Imran Khan was so right, a corrupt person like Sethi cannot be trusted. When the legend speaks you stop everything that you are doing and you LISTEN.


Haters going to hate.

This is why it's important to not to simply put over the convict tag over someone right from the word go.

[AFM]

Why is everyone jumping on Sethi? Nothing has been proven except that Sharjeel and Latif did have an approach from a bookie and failed to report it.

To me, that is enough justification of their suspension from the PSL. Better safe than sorry.

[Red Devil]

But but but Sethi said Sharjeel had done what the bookies had asked him to do.


Imran Khan was so right, a corrupt person like Sethi cannot be trusted. When the legend speaks you stop everything that you are doing and you LISTEN.


Haters going to hate.

Why do you think he didn't do what the bookies asked him to do? Nothing has been proved yet.

[srh]

Why is everyone jumping on Sethi? Nothing has been proven except that Sharjeel and Latif did have an approach from a bookie and failed to report it.

To me, that is enough justification of their suspension from the PSL. Better safe than sorry.

Sethi lied multiple times that the duo (Sharjeel and Khalid) have confessed to fixing

[Syed1]

Why do you think he didn't do what the bookies asked him to do? Nothing has been proved yet.

As per Sethi the bookies asked him to block the first two balls he faced from Hasan Ali. Well if somebody had asked me to block the first two balls I wouldn't be hitting a full-blooded cut shot on the first one like Sharjeel did.

[AFM]

Sethi lied multiple times that the duo (Sharjeel and Khalid) have confessed to fixing

I wasn't aware of this. I thought all he said was they have concrete proof against the duo. We will see what will transpire but the fact that both have confessed not reporting an apporach is enough for their suspension from the PSL.

[Syed1]

I wasn't aware of this. I thought all he said was they have concrete proof against the duo. We will see what will transpire but the fact that both have confessed not reporting an apporach is enough for their suspension from the PSL.

Sethi had said they had confessed to FIXING, not just not reporting an approach.

[AFM]

Sethi had said they had confessed to FIXING, not just not reporting an approach.

But do you agree that not reporting an approach is enough for being suspended from the PSL?

[ExpressPacer]

For the ICC, it's the same as actually fixing - a mandatory, minimum 5 year ban.

Which is why the failure to charge Brendon McCullum has caused so much anger, given that he gave evidence sworn on oath at Southwark Magistrates Court in London that he waited 2.5 years before reporting an alleged illegal approach by a famous former team-mate (who was found not guilty of the charge).

McCullum's evidence was tantamount to a confession, yet he wasn't even charged. It will be extraordinary if Sharjeel Khan is punished for an offence that McCullum was never even charged for, even after he confessed.

Exactly. The players are in extremely difficult situations when it is a friend/teammate making the offer. It's really hard to turn someone in when you've been playing cricket together for so long. Day in, day out. Players become family.

[Syed1]

But do you agree that not reporting an approach is enough for being suspended from the PSL?

Yes that is correct. However, Sethi became judge, jury, executioner to declare them as fixers and is now getting a slap on his face.

[AFM]

Yes that is correct. However, Sethi became judge, jury, executioner to declare them as fixers and is now getting a slap on his face.

Like I said, I wasn't aware of Sethi's statements. My point was referring to just the original suspension. All I remember is him telling Alan Wilkins that the PCB do have concrete proof.

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Sethi did this to scare others from fixing.

He is a clever man and has saved PSL from a PR disaster and made PCB look proactive on fixing with ICC and world. Masterstroke.

[Hamza_]

Like I said, I wasn't aware of Sethi's statements. My point was referring to just the original suspension. All I remember is him telling Alan Wilkins that the PCB do have concrete proof.

Concrete of players meeting a guy as fan who is supposedly a bookie. That's it but Sethi took it to another level by saying they gave proof of fixing and mixing up words

[Hamza_]

Sethi did this to scare others from fixing.

He is a clever man and has saved PSL from a PR disaster and made PCB look proactive on fixing with ICC and world. Masterstroke.

But has destroyed the career of the guy in your display.

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Just to save their face now PCB will try to prove that they were right to suspend Khalid and Sharjeel. Things not looking good for them even if they didn't do spot fixing.

[Rana]

I think the ICC really needs to look into this "failing to report an approach" crime.

This can be a matter of life and death for the players, all possible aspects must be taken into consideration before passing off such a strict judgement for these players.

[Misia]

Im seriously wondering if this is some.pathetic attempty publicity stunt to push the PLS brandwagon more

[Indiafan]

Sethi did this to scare others from fixing.

He is a clever man and has saved PSL from a PR disaster and made PCB look proactive on fixing with ICC and world. Masterstroke.

Why would he choose Sharjeel then? Surely there are older layers whose careers are over?

[Indiafan]

Just to save their face now PCB will try to prove that they were right to suspend Khalid and Sharjeel. Things not looking good for them even if they didn't do spot fixing.

boards have suspended and banned players like Symonds, Sreesanth for much lesser things. Not a single thing was proved against Sreesanth in any court

[Hayreddin]

Wait would the consequences be different since PSL isn't an ICC event?

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Wait would the consequences be different since PSL isn't an ICC event?

Kaneria and Sreesanth both got banned for life for fixing in domestic matches.

[Hayreddin]

Kaneria and Sreesanth both got banned for life for fixing in domestic matches.

Ok, but provided that Sharjeel and Latif aren't lying, then not reporting a bookie in a non ICC event is subject to the judgement of the PCB correct? Ergo, can the PCB choose whatever punishment they want?

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Ok, but provided that Sharjeel and Latif aren't lying, then not reporting a bookie in a non ICC event is subject to the judgement of the PCB correct? Ergo, can the PCB choose whatever punishment they want?

I think so because BCCI banned Sreesanth and ECB banned Kaneria.

[Hayreddin]

I think so because BCCI banned Sreesanth and ECB banned Kaneria.

So there are no minimum sentences for not reporting a bookie under PCB's guidelines? I mostly asking to see if PCB may try to make some exceptions for Sharjeel.

[Rayyman]

Yes! Sharjeel might actually get cleared.

[Hamza_]

Yes! Sharjeel might actually get cleared.

In failure to report? Heavy fine?

[Rayyman]

In failure to report? Heavy fine?

Not now, but under 4 years.

[Sherlock]

They both deserve to be punished, whatever the punishment is, and how heavy it is.

[Hamza_]

Not now, but under 4 years.

He can comeback if it's max 6months to year ban

[MMHS]

Only person in trouble I see is Nazam Sethi - the convicted two were already sunk up to nose.

[Hamza_]

Only person in trouble I see is Nazam Sethi - the convicted two were already sunk up to nose.

They are submitting response today (Saturday).

[srh]

They both deserve to be punished, whatever the punishment is, and how heavy it is.

why the duo (Sharjeel and Khalid) get punishment but not Irfan if all 3 of them did the same crime: failure to inform PCB of meeting with a bookie?

[MMHS]

They are submitting response today (Saturday).

May be we haven't heard everything, but based on convicted players' response, initial contradictory comments by the 2 senior PCB officials, I think, these 2 players have a good case to take PCB (Sethi) to court. In such cases, there is always a chance of back door negotiations - PCB'll suspend the players for 2/3 matches, fine them heavily & allow them a quick return to PAK colors; in exchange players take their charges off.

Long back, Warne & Mark Waugh was fined handsome amounts & ACB kept house in check.

[Hamza_]

May be we haven't heard everything, but based on convicted players' response, initial contradictory comments by the 2 senior PCB officials, I think, these 2 players have a good case to take PCB (Sethi) to court. In such cases, there is always a chance of back door negotiations - PCB'll suspend the players for 2/3 matches, fine them heavily & allow them a quick return to PAK colors; in exchange players take their charges off.

Long back, Warne & Mark Waugh was fined handsome amounts & ACB kept house in check.

So you don't see them going out long?

Which I sincerely do hope that if they haven't fixed anything they shouldn't be just out.

[Hamza_]

Plus I'm a massive Sharjeel fan. I've followed his career from 2011, precisely 3 and half years before he made his International debut. I watched him bat for Pakistan A for the first time on TV and was like wow this guy has some exquisite timing and power. @MMHS

[MMHS]

So you don't see them going out long?

Which I sincerely do hope that if they haven't fixed anything they shouldn't be just out.

These players should be judged as per law, if that means ban or fine for whatever they did, they should face that. Or, if they ( or any such convict) can save skin after proper adjudication, it's fine with me.

My point was, as per that tweet, Shethy over cooked their crime, which gives them a chance to negotiate with PCB, which I don't agree.

If the post in that tweet is the fact, then they might not go out for long. "Failing to report" is a ambiguous case - it's really difficult to prove the intention, unless the conversation is recorded. It was not that they were caught after 2 weeks - a lawyer can argue for the reasons why they couldn't report instantly.

[choclate]

The PCB board of directors should fire Sethi for incompetence and lying

I am sorry how is Sethi lying in this argument?, should we take the accused players word as the verdict?. Of-course they will try to save themselves and of-course it's Sethi's job to be 100% focused on rooting out any hint of corruption. Have we not suffered enough?, I think Sethi should be recognized in his efforts to keep PSL corruption free as that's the last thing we need after the security situation depriving the country of Cricket.

[Chief Destroyer]

I think they're gonna find a way out for Sharjeel.

[Hamza_]

I think they're gonna find a way out for Sharjeel.

@Chief Destroyer Hopefully. What do you think?

[Chief Destroyer]

@Chief Destroyer Hopefully. What do you think?

I think I just wrote what I think.

[Hamza_]

I think I just wrote what I think.

I mean how are they going to handle this.


So you're already thinking about Akmal pairing with Sharj? 😂

[Chief Destroyer]

I mean how are they going to handle this.


So you're already thinking about Akmal pairing with Sharj? ��

Just like they have been doing. Slowly clearing his name.

Hopefully, a fit and firing Akmal paired with Sharjeel is a destructive combo. Unless Nauman develops at a rapid pace, that's our best option.

[Hamza_]

Just like they have been doing. Slowly clearing his name.

Hopefully, a fit and firing Akmal paired with Sharjeel is a destructive combo. Unless Nauman develops at a rapid pace, that's our best option.

Which department is Nauman playing for?

I don't think they are clearing his name, Though he has been totally quiet over the issue.

[Chief Destroyer]

Which department is Nauman playing for?

I don't think they are clearing his name, Though he has been totally quiet over the issue.

WAPDA.

They've told him to stay quiet. There's a reason for that. I'm not guaranteeing he gets cleared but it certainly looks as if that's what they are attempting to do.

[Hamza_]

WAPDA.

They've told him to stay quiet. There's a reason for that. I'm not guaranteeing he gets cleared but it certainly looks as if that's what they are attempting to do.

I hope he does get out of this mess. I've followed him from more than 6 years. It feels sad

[Sherlock]

why the duo (Sharjeel and Khalid) get punishment but not Irfan if all 3 of them did the same crime: failure to inform PCB of meeting with a bookie?

We don't know if Irfan was actually involved, or not, or if his name was merely mentioned to be included with the others. We'll find out soon enough.

[Smooth criminal]

Even if sharjeel gets cleared I don't see his performances going upwards in the near future or atleast 1 yr from the time he's allowed to play. These sort of incidents shatter a player's confidence. Congrats PCB !

[hitthestump]

If Sharjeel indeed failed to report an approach then ban him for the maximum length possible.

It is shameful some of our cricketers haven't learnt a thing since 2010. What would have happened further on if he hadn't been caught? There's only one sure way we're going to stamp this out from our culture and that's by enforcing the rules to the strictest degree.

Even if Sharjeel was the last superstar we had left (which he isn't), Pakistan cricket benefits far greater from him being made an example of - "this is what will happen if there's any doubts about your professional integrity"

[Indiafan]

Even if sharjeel gets cleared I don't see his performances going upwards in the near future or atleast 1 yr from the time he's allowed to play. These sort of incidents shatter a player's confidence. Congrats PCB !

Why are you blaming PCB and not the player who actually did it? What pathetic attitude is this?

[Junaids]

Why are you blaming PCB and not the player who actually did it? What pathetic attitude is this?

I hate agreeing with you, but I do agree with you.

Pakistan, South Africa and New Zealand are going to be cursed with corruption simply because of the limited earning power of their players compared with Aussies, Indians or English players of the same level.

This makes it crucial that they address corruption properly, in terms of vigilance, in terms of charging players and in terms of applying the law properly to guilty players.

I have never really agreed with your "life bans for all" interpretation, simply because I think it makes players likely to cover up their crimes and fixers likely to murder corrupt players and officials. We see by comparing the USA with the UK that harsh sentencing makes rapists more likely to kill their victims to prevent them from testifying against them.

But if there is a set period of 5 years - like the ICC had at the time Amir, Asif and Butt offended - then apply it without any mercy or flexibility.

I'm the first person to say that the Indian Police are the world's best at catching cricket corruption. But the ICC has never really been serious about stamping it out, or even catching offenders. Like other areas of law enforcement, there will need to be plea bargains and amnesties to catch the bad guys.

[Hamza_]

Sharjeel has submitted his reply.

[KyoOne]

Who will take the decision now, the PCB or the ISI guy with his team?

[Hamza_]

Who will take the decision now, the PCB or the ISI guy with his team?

They will form a commission and it will take months

[SL_Fan]

Zia, Bari in PCB’s spot-fixing tribunal


The Pakistan Cricket Board have instituted a three-member panel to investigate the spot-fixing scandal which surfaced in the early stages of the Pakistan Super League 2017, comprising a retired judge, a former PCB head and a former captain.

Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif, the Islamabad United players, were provisionally suspended for breaching the anti-corruption code of the PCB after meeting a suspicious person linked to an international betting syndicate.

“We have formed a three-man tribunal which will be headed by Justice retired Asghar Haider and its other members will be Tauqir Zia and Wasim Bari,” Shaharyar Khan, the PCB chairman, told Wisden India. “The tribunal will start its proceedings next week.”

Both Sharjeel and Latif were charge-sheeted but they have denied the charges. However, both players confessed to the charges during the anti-corruption investigation in Dubai last month.

They claim that they were pressurised into confessing.

Haider had served as legal adviser of the PCB in the 1990s and is in the know of match-fixing inquiries, having represented the PCB in the Justice Qayyum inquiry between 1998 and 2000.

The commission handed life bans to Salim Malik and Ata ur Rehman, and fined six other players including Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mushtaq Ahmed, Saeed Anwar and Akram Raza.

Zia was the PCB chairman between 1999 and 2003 while Bari, also a former captain, served as team manager on the recent tour of Australia.

Link

[Red Devil]

So Sethi was telling the truth after all.

[Sports_Psychologist]

Nice addition of Tauqir Zia.. Really respect this man...

[ask_analyse_act]

But has destroyed the career of the guy in your display.

Doesnt matter, it is his own responsibility to report an approach... If he is not reporting an approach like Shahzaib did then it indirectly means he is contemplating which is half done for spot fixing...

If amir/asif/butt careers is not taken as an example , these players will never learn anything but be greedy for quick and shortcut money...

This should be dealt strictly and given a heavy punishment to make another example like the spot fixing trio...
By not doing so, it means they are very lenient when it comes to fixing and also welcome them back to the team to do it again...

[Shafi]

But but but Sethi said Sharjeel had done what the bookies had asked him to do.


Imran Khan was so right, a corrupt person like Sethi cannot be trusted. When the legend speaks you stop everything that you are doing and you LISTEN.


Haters going to hate.

Sethi is corrupt so as S Khan and Shakil!!!!

[fasihulhaq94]

Sethi is corrupt so as S Khan and Shakil!!!!

why do people call sethi corrupt?

[Shafi]

why do people call sethi corrupt?

Sethi is like a sponge but SK and Shakil do things sneaky

[fasihulhaq94]

Sethi is like a sponge but SK and Shakil do things sneaky

wat

[ahmedzee]

How can you have pcb appointed tribunal? It should be an independant tribunal without any pcb bias. Azharuddin was let off simply because the tribunal was appointed by the board.