Sharjeel Khan Delighted With Pakistan Welcome After Return From Ban

Cricket Image for Sharjeel Khan Delighted With Pakistan Welcome After Return From Ban (Image Source: AFP)

Pakistan opener Sharjeel Khan said Tuesday he was delighted with the welcome he had been given since being recalled to the national squad after completing a lengthy ban for spot-fixing.

The 31-year-old was banned in 2017 for five years -- with half the sentence suspended -- for his part in rigging Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches in the United Arab Emirates.

Although illegal in Pakistan, gambling on cricket is widespread with punters betting on specific outcomes during the game -- such as the number of no-balls or wides bowled in a particular over. This gives individual players the opportunity to "spot-fix" -- influencing the lucrative betting market without, supposedly, affecting the overall outcome of the match.

Sharjeel was named earlier this month in the squad to play a series of Twenty20 internationals in South Africa and Zimbabwe next month.

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