5 Major controversies in the PSL

Since its inception, 3 years ago, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has grown leaps and bounds. It is safe to say that the success of the league added to Pakistan’s cause of reviving International cricket in their country. The smooth execution of the final in Lahore last year gave a glimpse of the possibility that cricket could be played without any untoward incidents.

However, even though the league boasts of great individual success, it has been plagued by controversies like all other T20 leagues. In fact, controversies in Pakistan cricket, in particular, are inevitable. While fans and cricket lovers across the globe gear up and await the return of cricket in Karachi, let’s reflect on the league’s roller-coaster of a journey by remembering some controversies that authorities must be looking to avoid this year. Here are 5 major controversies in the PSL:

1. Spot-fixing scandal ‘17

Initially, fans had a lot to cheer about as PSL was coming to Pakistan but they were also subjected to some disappointment as PCB first suspended and then banned six cricketers Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, Nasir Jamshed, Mohammed Irfan, Shahzaib Hasan and Mohammed Nawaz. Following allegations of match-fixing during the opening match of PSL 2016 between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United in UAE.

The incident came under the public eye when Sharjeel, Latif and Irfan were questioned by the anti-corruption officials, and the then PSL chairman Najam Sethi claimed to have evidence of the link between bookie and players. Irfan and Jamshed were banned for one year. Sharjeel was found guilty of five counts of the charges and banned for five years. Latif also got the same punishment. Nawaz was suspended too, for two months, on May for not reporting suspect bookie approach.