LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed concern at political interference in board’s affairs over the disciplinary issue involving former one-day skipper Shahid Afridi.
In an official statement issued on Sunday evening, the cricket board states: “The PCB notes with great concern that an internal disciplinary action against Shahid Afridi is being converted into a political issue.
In an official statement issued on Sunday evening, the cricket board states: “The PCB notes with great concern that an internal disciplinary action against Shahid Afridi is being converted into a political issue.
“A number of political functionaries are interfering in what is essentially an internal disciplinary matter of the PCB.
“Despite the extremely irresponsible attitude and inflammatory statements of Afridi, the PCB reiterates that he will be given every opportunity to state his position and make his case in front of the disciplinary committee,” the statement further states.
“The party aggrieved by the decision of the committee will have the right to approach an appellate tribunal comprising retired Supreme Court / High Court judges,” it says.
“It is disappointing that despite Afridi has pleaded guilty, some political functionaries are extending their support with a view to influence the disciplinary process being followed by the PCB.
“There is a need to develop understanding amongst all stakeholders, media and the politicians that no one is above the law and that for maintaining discipline within the team, it is absolutely imperative that we carry out this process without any fear or favour.
“The PCB has been criticised for being ineffective in the past in the context of discipline.
“It would now appear an attempt by some forces to prevent the board from implementing the code of conduct and their act may damage Pakistan cricket if they continue to lend support to Afridi and exert undue pressure on the PCB for their ‘non-cricketing’ interests,” it concludes.
The PCB and Afridi are at the loggerheads after the board had removed him from captaincy while announcing the one-day squad for the Ireland series.
Afridi did not utter a word when he was removed from the captaincy but after Pakistan won the series against Ireland under the leadership of Misbah-ul-Haq, he blasted the PCB management and announced retirement from international cricket.
The PCB has formed a three-member disciplinary committee under Sultan Rana, which has summoned Afridi on Wednesday, June 8, in Lahore to explain his position against the show-cause notice issued to him by the board.