KARACHI: Opening batsman Sharjeel Khan, who has been serving a suspended sentence for his role in the PSL spot-fixing case in 2017, has decided to take the rehabilitation course in a bid to resume competitive cricket after the culmination of his suspension period.

If Sharjeel goes through the rehabilitation process and cooperates with the PCB then he could be eligible to play for Pakistan by September 2019.

A source privy to the development has said that Sharjeel had a meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani in Lahore a few weeks back in which the hard hitting left-hander requested the chairman to review his case.

“Sharjeel has no intentions to challenge his suspension and is willing to enter the PCB rehabilitation programme. The left-hander has formally assured the PCB of his cooperation in this regard”, the source said

“He (Sharjeel) wants an early return to domestic cricket, prior to the culmination of the 30-month ban, like Mohammad Amir”, the source added.

As per the PCB anti corruption code clause 6.8, the chairman or other relevant authority, as authorised by the chairman of PCB, has the discretion to permit a banned player to participate in domestic matches at any time prior to the end of the period of ineligibility, after taking into account the procedure prescribed in the code.

Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2018