ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday announced it had provisionally suspended cricketer Asif Afridi for alleged breaches of its anti-corruption code, charging the leg-spinner for two breaches which also included failing to report a corrupt approach.
The PCB has been dealing with cases of alleged corruption involving cricketers over the past couple of years. Most recently, it banned right-handed batter Umar Akmal for failing to report spot-fixing approaches made to him before the start of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020.
In 2017, Pakistani cricketers Muhammad Irfan and Mohammad Nawaz served bans spanning six months and two months, respectively, for failing to report suspected approaches and invitations to partake in corruption.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board, on 12 September 2022, provisionally suspended Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s left-arm spinner Asif Afridi with immediate effect under Article 4.7.1** of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code,” the PCB said.
Article 4.7.1 of the board’s constitution allows it to use its discretion in circumstances "where it considers that the integrity of the sport could otherwise be seriously undermined".
PCB said the ban means Afridi will not be able to take part in any cricket-related activity till the conclusion of an inquiry against him by the PCB’s Anti-Corruption Unit.
Afridi has 14 days to respond to the charges, the board said. “As this is an ongoing investigation, the PCB will not make any further comment pending the outcome of this case,” the PCB said, refusing to share details of the case.
Afridi has played just one game so far in the ongoing National T20 Cup for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Since that match on August 31, Afridi has not been included in the playing XI.
Earlier this year, Afridi was selected in the Pakistan side for the historic home series against Australia. However, the left-arm spinner did not make the playing XI. Afridi made headlines earlier this year when he took eight wickets from five matches in the PSL, playing for Multan Sultans. He maintained an impressive economy rate of 6.5.