Pakistan cricket has been handling spot-fixing cases for a while now. There have been quite a few cases in the last few years. They’ve had to deal with Mohammad Amir and Salman Butt’s comebacks, more so for the former. However, the latest one is Sharjeel Khan.

The tainted left-handed opener has been on the side-lines for the last two and a half years. He was banned from all forms of cricket for five years in 2017 for getting involved in the spot-fixing scandal that hit the Pakistan Super League (PSL) a couple of years back (in 2017). He was playing for Islamabad United back then.

Sharjeel was banned in August 2017 and was sentenced for five years. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Anti-Corruption Tribunal halved the ban. The suspension waive off means that Sharjeel will soon serve his designated ban (30 months – two and a half years). Hence, he could soon return to cricketing action.

In fact, the Sind-born player could be back as soon as the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy gets underway in September. However, there is one condition. A PCB official stated that Sharjeel could take part in the Quaid-e-Azam tournament only if he admits to his involvement in the spot-fixing controversy. Moreover, he needs to apologize for his actions as well. The same official also revealed that Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif were also asked to do the same.

Sharjeel wants to play cricket again: Shaighan Ejaz, Sharjeel’s lawyer

The last time Sharjeel Khan was seen on a cricket field was back in February 2017. He played just one game in that Pakistan Super League (PSL) season. Hence, his lawyer, Shaighan Ejaz admitted that his client wants to play cricket again. Ejaz said that once they receive an answer from the PCB, they will assess the situation.

“Sharjeel wants to play cricket again and once we get an answer from the PCB, we will see where things stand,” Sharjeel’s lawyer was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times. Moreover, sources revealed that the left-handed opener is ready to accept the five charges PCB laid out against him but is hesitant to admit to the spot-fixing claims.