LAHORE: Coming hard on former captain Shahid Afridi, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued him a show-cause notice to explain his position in next seven days for passing unethical remarks against the Board and its officials, while calling it a day from the international cricket on Monday.
The PCB has also suspended Afridi’s central contract, besides revoking all his no-objection certificates (NOCs) with immediate effect.
“The PCB has initiated action against Shahid Afridi in response to the following breaches of the central contract he committed,” a PCB official press release states.
“1. By announcing his retirement in the manner that he did, Afridi is in breach of clause 2.1.4 of the central contract, dealing with covenants of the cricketer.
2. In passing disparaging remarks about the board and its officials, Afridi is in breach of clause 4.4 dealing with media obligations.”
The press release further says, “Following disciplinary actions have been initiated against Afridi by the PCB:
1. A show-cause notice has been issued to him seeking his explanation over these comments. Afridi has been asked to respond to the letter within seven days of receipt of the same.
2. His central contract has been suspended with immediate effect. Consequently, all NOCs granted to him have been revoked.
3. All payments on account of central contract have been suspended.”
Meanwhile, in his short chat with the press, PCB chairman Ijaz Butt said he had accepted the resignation of Afridi.
To a question that Afridi had tendered a conditional resignation from the international cricket as he did not want to play cricket under Ijaz’s reign, the chairman said that was up to him.
Ijaz said he would answer all allegations levelled by Afridi at an appropriate time.
The PCB chief said he wanted to have a discussion with the team management over the report of manager Intikhab Alam before taking a decision over Afridi, but the all-rounder announced his decision hastily and missed out the opportunity to sort out the problems.
Afridi, after leading the Pakistan team to 3-2 victory in the ODI series against the West Indies, in a media talk had expressed some reservations about coach Waqar Younis.
He, however, had added that the matter could be resolved.
“I was only waiting for the arrival of the Pakistan team from the tour of Ireland to discuss all the problems with Waqar Younis, Intikhab Alam and other members of the team management but Afridi did not wait for it,” he said.
It may be mentioned here that Afridi had shown no reservations when the PCB had removed him from the captaincy and appointed Misbah-ul-Haq in his place.
Afridi only said he could not accompany the squad on the Ireland tour due to his father’s illness.
But soon after Pakistan won the series against Ireland on Monday night, Afridi in a press talk triggered a controversy which can take a long time to settle.
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