LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)-appointed Anti-corruption Unit headed by Justice (retired) Syed Asghar Haider is likely to impose about two-year ban on Sharjeel Khan in the spot fixing case, as it has reserved its decision to be announced on Wednesday.

Well informed sources told Dawn that though the minimum period of the ban on a cricketer in such cases is six-month and maximum is life ban, the tribunal is likely to hand Sharjeel a two-year ban besides imposing cash fine on the left-handed opener.

“The tribunal may remain close to the minimum punishment as even one-day ban is enough to destroy the career of a cricketer, once he caught in such cases,” sources close to the tribunal told Dawn.

Sharjeel along with four other cricketers were charged under different clauses of being involved in the spot-fixing scam which surfaced on the opening day of the second Pakistan Super League (PLS) in Dubai earlier this year.

After the final of the PSL on March 5 in Lahore, it was decided to form a tribunal with former PCB chairman Lt Gen (retired) Tauqir Zia and ex-Pakistan captain Wasim Bari as its members. The panel began hearing against Khalid Latif, Mohammad Irfan, Nasir Jamshed, Shahzaib Hasan and Sharjeel.

After clearing Irfan from the case with a ban of one-year and a hefty fine, Sharjeel’s case will be the second which will be decided on Wednesday.

The cases of Khalid, Nasir and Shahzaib are still under the progress.

Meanwhile, Dawn also learnt that the PCB had also decided to challenge the decision of the tribunal, if it announces lesser punishment to any cricketer, including Sharjeel.

“Yes the PCB has the right to appeal if it deems the punishment is less to the crime committed. Just like the players the PCB also has the right of appeal against the tribunal’s decision,” PCB’s lawyer Taffazul Rizvi told Dawn.

He said though the minimum level of ban was six months and maximum was of life ban, the tribunal was at the liberty in deciding the period of ban which may be one, two or even five years or a life ban. Similarly, the tribunal is also at liberty to decide the amount of the penalty.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2017