Banned Pakistani cricketer Sharjeel Khan came down hard on the Pakistan Tribunal stating that he was treated unfairly on the Pakistan Super League spot-fixing case. The opener’s plea was rejected by the board terming it as “a ploy to gain sympathy”. Sharjeel broke the shackles and spoke to the media after 10 months as he said that the 5-year ban on him is completely wrong. Sharjeel will appeal against the ban in the courts now.
“I swear by God that I am innocent and that I didn’t accept any offer to spot-fix. I have fully cooperated with the PCB throughout this case and I expected justice from them. I am sorry to say the PCB tribunal unfairly tried to implicate me in the case,” Sharjeel said.
Also read: (Sharjeel Khan’s Appeal Against his Ban Rejected)
Sharjeel was imposed a 5-year ban by the PCB anti-corruption tribunal, half of it was taken off in September. however, Khalid Latif, another batsman involved in the PSL spot-fixing case will have to serve a full 5-year ban and also pay a fine of one million rupees.
“I also appeal to the Prime Minister, Army Chief and Chief Justice to look into my case and help me in getting justice,” Sharjeel said.
“It is nothing but a ploy to gain sympathy. The tribunal found him guilty on all charges of the anti-corruption code. He was provided with a transparent process to clear his name. But he was found guilty,” a PCB official said on Sharjeel’s appeal against the ban to the High court.
Also read: (Sarfraz Ahmed Laments Losing Sharjeel Khan to PSL Spot-Fixing)
However, Sharjeel says the unfair ban has not only affected him but is injustice towards his family. Sharjeel is ready to do whatever it takes to script his comeback.
“The punishment handed out to me has not only been painful for me and my family but also for my well wishers and supporters. I will take every step to clear my name and stage a comeback,” he added.
“We will shortly be filing a petition in the High court although the PCB quietly amended a clause in their anti-corruption code which says we can now only take our case to the international court of arbitration for sports in Switzerland,” Shaighan Ejaz, Sharjeel Khan’s lawyer said.
“While the tribunal announced its decision on August 30, 2017, the changes were made in Article 7 of the Code on July 28, 2017 which says that spot-fixing convicts aren’t allowed to file a writ against the decision before any Pakistani court and only before the CAS in Switzerland.”