Sharjeel Khan offers "unconditional apology" to PCB in order to revive his career

Khan earned a five-year band due to his involvement in spot-fixing in PSL 2017.

Sharjeel Khan | Getty

Pakistan opener Sharjeel Khan who earned a five-year ban due to his involvement in spot-fixing in 2017 took the first step to reviving his career by apologizing to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday (August 19).

The 30-year-old is on track to return to the sport as he apologized to PCB by saying, “I offer my unconditional apology to the PCB, my teammates, fans and family for the irresponsible conduct that brought embarrassment to everyone.

I request for forgiveness and assure I will show more responsibility in my future actions," he added.

Khan also met with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) anti-corruption officials who directed him to undergo a rehabilitation programme. In his statement, Khan reminded fellow players to "strictly and religiously" follow the PCB's anti-corruption code.

The left-hand batsman who was considered to be a rising star was accused of not scoring on two balls at a certain time of the match in return for money from bookies while playing in the second edition of the Pakistan Super League in Dubai.

Pakistan has a long and sordid history of spot-fixing, where a specific part of a game is rigged, as opposed to match-fixing, where the whole result is.

According to a recent statement from PCB, the board had decided to suspend half of Khan's ban.

"Sharjeel has completed his two and a half years of ineligibility and will now complete rehabilitation before the end of the year and then reintegrate into top level cricket," the statement said.

The rehabilitation programme will include attending and delivering lectures on the PCB Anti-Corruption Code. Khan will also have to visit orphanages as part of community service, and participate in integration sessions with Pakistan's national players and support personnel.

(With PTI inputs)

 
 

By Swapnil Shireesh Javkhedkar - 19 Aug, 2019

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