The disciplinary process initiated against former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi is not matter of victory or defeat for the PCB, stated its COO Subhan Ahmed.
“All the disciplinary steps against him were part of the board’s clearly laid down disciplinary process,” COO Ahmed told PTI in an interview.
“Our viewpoint remains clear that Afridi or any other player/ official has to submit to the disciplinary process if they have breached any provision of their Central Contract or the code of conduct for players.
“And once Shahid did that the board held its disciplinary hearing and the committee accordingly heard him out and announced its recommendations,” Ahmed said.
“The NOC was issued to Shahid immediately on the recommendations of the disciplinary committee which felt that after his admittance of guilt and fine he could go and play for Hampshire,” Ahmed said.
The PCB official insisted that the whole process involving Afridi had once again highlighted the PCB’s determination to implement its code of conduct without any fear or favour.
“As far as we are concerned no player or official is above the rules of the board. If anyone breaches the code of conduct he has to face a disciplinary process.”
“The disciplinary process was suspended after he went to the High Court but once he withdrew his case the process resumed accordingly.”
“The Board is an institution and equal for all players.
For the board once he (Afridi) had admitted he had violated the code of conduct and accepted the disciplinary process, rest were penalties that are clearly spelt out in the Central Contract and which Disciplinary Committee recommended,” Ahmed said.
Afridi, while challenging the board’s disciplinary process, had told a news conference in Karachi that he would not appear before the disciplinary committee and wanted an independent committee to probe his case.
The all-rounder had also denounced some officials of the board particularly the Chairman, Ijaz Butt.
But hardly a week after his conference and after filing a petition in the High Court he was in Islamabad using his political connections to meet with Butt and sort out the issue under an agreement that included withdrawing his petition from the court and appearing before the disciplinary committee which he did on Thursday.
Ahmed made it clear that under ICC regulations, all players whether retired or active had to get clearance from their home boards to go and play anywhere.
“We have given Shahid NOC to play for Hampshire if he wants to play anywhere else he has to apply afresh,” he added.
The PCB official said that the board was happy the chapter was closed as it had high regard for Afridi’s contribution to Pakistan cricket as a player and captain.
“We appreciate all his contribution made to Pakistan cricket. But I think this case clearly highlights the fact that under no circumstances is any player above the rules of the board.”
