KARACHI:
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday complained of “political interference” in its disciplinary proceedings against all-rounder Shahid Afridi.
Afridi, 31, is being brought up on charges of breaching the PCB’s code of conduct by abruptly announcing his retirement from international cricket last week and making disparaging comments about board officials.
The board suspended Afridi’s central contract, revoked all ‘no-objection certificates’ issued to him to play in foreign leagues and summoned him for a hearing on Wednesday.
“A number of political functionaries are interfering in what is essentially an internal disciplinary matter of the PCB,” the board said in a statement.
“It is disappointing that despite (the fact) Afridi has pleaded guilty to the offence, some political functionaries are extending their support with a view to influencing the disciplinary process being followed by PCB,” PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt said.
“It would now appear an attempt by some forces to prevent the Board from implementing the code of conduct and their act may well damage Pakistan cricket.”
The cricketer enjoys considerable political backing. Former Prime Minister and leader of the main opposition party Nawaz Sharif called Afridi and promised his party would not allow the board to do him any injustice.
Dr Farooq Sattar, of the Mutthaida-e-Qaumi Movement in Afridi’s hometown of Karachi, also issued a statement last week criticising the PCB for their treatment of him.
The heads of the national assembly and senate standingcommittees on sports have also come out in support of Afridi and criticised Butt. Afridi was removed as captain of the one-day team last month before the series against Ireland after he spoke publicly about interference in his work by team management.
The cricketer got a rousing reception on his return from England last night.
“I am totally astounded by the huge crowds that have shown up to support me. I think my stand now in this issue is vindicated,” he said.
Afridi for the PM.
Afridi shld stop politicising the game.
Maybe there is a reason so many people support Afridi Mr. Butt! Ever thought of that?
Afridi is acting like a petulant 5 year old.
highly disappointed in your mods express tribune. one critical comment against Butt and you guys deem it to be too harsh. have you ever looked at cnn comments for example. I’m sure that site gets A LOT more traffic than ET but they don’t censor comments simply because they might be too critical or harsh and to the point like the way you do.
But… but… Afridi has such a big heart unlike those small-hearted Indians.
how credible is Express TV? Salman Butt is telling Afridi to stop defaming Pakistan???
strong textThat’s very sad … our public memory is too short…. This Afridi was crowned HERO by the media and public when he brought this shaky team to the World cup – SEMI finals and now when he wants his right the code of conduct and other mere matters are publicized to make him look bad…..
WHY????
What misconduct action did he took by saying to stop interfering in his work??? Its just a comment and everyone has the right to comment…
Why should Afridi be directed each time … if he is made the captain let him decide… it means it was just for the time being after the World cup hype to stup out the public and then put some or the other blame and him and kick him out…
What politics Afridi is doing all the politics had already been done for him by the PCB members etc… he is now on the reaction stage…
That’s very sad … our public memory is too short…. This Afridi was crowned HERO by the media and public when he brought this shaky team to the World Cup – Semi –Finals and now when he wants his right the code of conduct and other mere matters are publicized to make him look bad…..
WHY????
What misconduct action did he took by saying to stop interfering in his work??? Its just a comment and everyone has the right to comment…
Why should Afridi be directed each time … if he is made the captain let him decide… it means it was just for the time being after the World cup hype to stup out the public and then put some or the other blame and him and kick him out…
What politics Afridi is doing all the politics had already been done for him by the PCB members etc… he is now on the reaction stage…