KARACHI: The critics and ex-players around the world have for long debated how convicted cricketers involved in fixing scams should be treated after the completion of the prescribed punishment as per law and whether they should be allowed back in international cricket or should be barred for life.

The latest debate these days focuses around Pakistan’s dashing opening batsman Sharjeel Khan who is on the verge of resuming his international career after serving his sentence for violating the disciplinary code of conduct of the Pakistan Cricket Board during the second edition of the Pakistan Super League in 2017.

Dean Jones, the head coach of Sharjeel’s PSL franchise Karachi Kings, sounded very clear in his views and said that the dashing left-hander deserved a second go after getting done with his punishment.

Talking to this correspondent, the former Australian cricketer added that “match winners” like Sharjeel should not be wasted.

“Well, I would pick him (Sharjeel) for sure. He needs work, needs games, but he scares bowlers and if they don’t get it right he hits the ball 20 rows back,” Jones said.

Sharjeel was banned for five years, with two and a half year suspended sentence, for his role in the spot fixing episode in 2017. But he came back to competitive cricket after serving his mandatory ban to feature in the fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League this year.

“Well, he (Sharjeel) has paid the penalty so let’s move on. Players like him (Sharjeel) win you tournaments, don’t lose them,” Jones added

Meanwhile, on the other hand, former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has called to limit convicted players to domestic cricket only.

“I said this while Mohammad Amir was being re-inducted into the national team and I reiterate that convicted players should not be allowed to don the national cap again and assets they earned through cricket should also be confiscated,” Rashid said “To earn a living, these players could only be limited to domestic events.”

The former wicketjkeeper, who is known as the main whistle blower on match fixing in the 1990s, further said that country’s parliament should legislate to introduce strict laws to penalise convicted cricketers. “The laws are drafted by the ICC and member boards but some countries have entrusted local police by proper legislation through lawmakers. The law of the land should also consider corrupt practice in cricket as a crime.”, the former captain said.

Rashid minced no word in raising question over the conduct of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and member cricket boards, saying that strict vigilance is the need of hour especially with regards to the domestic T20 leagues.Tweet @mak_asif

Published in Dawn, April 11th, 2020