Khalid Latif will only be able to play competitive cricket again in 2022

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Pakistan batsman Khalid Latif has been handed a five-year ban for his role in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) spot-fixing scandal.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that Latif will not be allowed to play any form of cricket after he was found guilty of all six charges levelled against him.

With the 31-year-old breaching six different sections of the PCB’s anti-corruption code while playing for Islamabad United, he was also fined a million Pakistan Rupees.

Latif’s lawyer Badar Alam was not present when the verdict was read out, but throughout the proceedings and hearings, he had raised several objections.

Furthermore, he also registered a case against the tribunal that was formed to hear and adjudicate the charges against Latif.

Once the detailed verdict is released, both Latif and the PCB have the right to launch an appeal, but it has to be done within 14 days.

“There are cases you don’t feel happy winning, because it’s unfortunate to see a player being banned,” PCB lawyer Taffazul Rizvi said. “But he is responsible for tarnishing his own career, and all fixing allegations against him have been proved.”

Unlike opening batsman Sharjeel Khan, who was also banned for five years, no part of Latif’s ban has been suspended, which means that he will only be allowed to play cricket again in 2022.

This more than likely spells the end of Latif’s international career as he will be 36 once his ban comes to an end. In fact, the Karachi native will also find it extremely tough to return to the domestic circuit in Pakistan due to his age and his time away from the game.

Sharjeel had two-and-a-half years of his five-year ban suspended, while left-arm pace bowler Mohammad Irfan was given a one-year ban for failing to report an approach from a bookmaker.

But, with six months of his ban suspended, Irfan has already completed his serving his punishment and is now eligible to play cricket again.