PCB bans fast bowler Muhammad Irfan for one year

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board has suspended fast bowler Mohammad Irfan for one year and fined him PKR. 1,000,000 after he admitted failing to report approaches by bookmakers linked to spot-fixing.

The cricketer’s central contract has been suspended for six months, said PCB spokesperson during a press conference on Wednesday, which was held at PCB headquarters.

The PCB guidelines prohibit the cricketer from violating any other guidelines of the Anti-Corruption Unit. “If any such breach(es) take place the PCB shall reserve the right to initiate separate and independent proceedings against Irfan under the Code [Anti-Corruption Code for Participants 2015],” according to the PCB press statement.

Moreover, Irfan will also have to provide substantial assistance to the PCB vigilance and security. He will have to participate in programmes of Anti-Corruption Education, which includes giving lectures on anti-corruption.

The player central contract with PCB will remain suspended and no new contract will be offered to him, said PCB spokesperson. He is further instructed to pay a sum of Rs1 million to the board.

If the sportsman succeeds in following the suspension guidelines of the PCB then he will be able to play cricket after six months.

Speaking at the press conference, the 34-year-old player accepted his mistake. He said, “it was my mistake. I apologise if I hurt anyone.” He also said that he did not speak earlier as he was under mental duress after his parents' death. "I was asked to carry out fixes but I did not commit any such crime. My mistake was not reporting these offers. I confess and say sorry to the fans," he added.

Irfan had been charged with two violations of the PCB’s anti-corruption code for failing to disclose to the board the approaches made by the bookies during Pakistan Super League 2017.

Anti-Corruption Code for Participants 2015 Article 2.4.4, under which the pacer has been charged, states: "Failing to disclose to the PCB Vigilance and Security Department (without unnecessary delay) full details of any approaches or invitations received by the Participant to engage in Corrupt Conduct under this Anti-Corruption Code.”

Earlier this month Irfan appeared before the board’s Anti-Corruption Unit, where he admitted in his video statement that he had been contacted by bookies during the tournament but had not reported the approach to the PCB, as he had been under “mental duress due to the recent death of his parents.”

The bowler had submitted his reply to board’s Anti-Corruption Unit on Wednesday.

Other Pakistani cricketers such as Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, Shahzaib Hasan and Nasir Jamshed have also been involved in the spot-fixing scandal which occurred during Pakistan Super League.