LAHORE: Giant pacer Mohammad Irfan will remain suspended from all types of cricket for a period of one year and will also pay a fine of rupees one million after confessing the charges levelled on him by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of not reporting the approach from bookies who twice made contact with him before the start of the second Pakistan Super League (PSL) in Dubai in February this year, thus breaching two articles 2.4.4 of the Code of Conduct.

Irfan confessed his blunder of not reporting the matter to PCB in front of the media at the Gaddafi Stadium here on Wednesday and asked for pardon from the entire nation.

However, if Irfan filfills a few conditions of the PCB, the suspension may be reduced to six months. His suspension starts from March 14, the day when the PCB Anti-corruption Unit charged him for breaching these clauses.

Speaking to media, Irfan in his short statement said: “As you people know the PCB called me on March 14 and suspended me for breaching two clauses of the Code of Conduct. Yes I was approached on two occasions, which I could not report to the PCB and that is my fault. I gave them a shut up call and did no corruption. But as I could not report the matter to the PCB for which we are bound, it is my mistake and I admit it. I beg pardon from the entire nation on this mistake and if anyone is hurt due to my mistake I also ask him or her to pardon me. I hope all of you will pardon me. Thank you.”

The tall fast bowlers refused to entertain any questions and immediately left the scene after his short media talk.

Earlier, PCB head of Anti-corruption Unit Col. (retd.) Azam Khan announced the punishment for Irfan. He also did not take any question of the media.

However, later the PCB issued a detailed press release, warning Irfan to maintain discipline during the period of suspension, otherwise he would not get the relaxation of the six-month period which will end on Sept 14 this year. His central contract with the PCB will also remain suspended and Irfan will be bound to cooperate with the PCB in the ongoing spot-fixing case in which four other cricketers are also involved. They are Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, Shahzaib Hasan and Nasir Jamshed.

The press release states:”In furtherance to the PCB’s investigation into violations of the PCB’s Anti-Corruption Code for Participants 2015 (“the Code”), Mohammad Irfan, Cricketer, was issued a Notice of Charge by the PCB Vigilance and Security Department on 14th March 2017 wherein he was charged with two violations of Article 2.4.4 of the Code. It was alleged that Irfan had, on two occasions, failed to disclose to the PCB Vigilance and Security Department (without unnecessary delay) full details of the approaches and invitations received by him to engage in Corrupt Conduct.

“On March 23, 2017, Irfan approached the PCB to initiate proceedings under Article 5.1.12 of the PCB Code and requested for “Agreed Sanction” a meeting to hold discussions. Resultantly, PCB required Irfan to submit a written statement explaining his version of events; his response to the Notice of Charge; and any mitigating factors that he would like the PCB to consider, and thereafter appear before the PCB Vigilance and Security Department to answer their queries.

“Irfan submitted his written statement on 27th March 2017 admitting the charges levelled against him by PCB and appeared for two subsequent meetings with PCB on 27th and 28th March 2017 to properly explain his case,” said the press release.

Meanwhile, Chairman PCB Shaharyar M. Khan and Chairman PSL Najam Sethi reiterated that “it is important for all players to take note and be reminded of their responsibilities and obligations under the PCB Anti-Corruption Code and that no form of corrupt activity shall ever be tolerated by PCB.”

Irfan, at 35, is unlikely to bounce back in his international career after the current ban imposed on him. His international career of 60 One-day International, four Tests and 20 T20 matches started back in 2010. However, for the last seven months he has not played any international match, mainly due to his ordinary performance in domestic matches and his poor show as a fielder.

Irfan, who made headlines due to his 7’1” frame, started his Test career of four matches in 2013 against South Africa. He last played an ODI against England in Sept last year and his last T20 game was on March 22, 2016.

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2017