The Pakistan Cricket Board has sought reply from Shahid Afridi for giving controversial statements against the team management over selection issues in the West Indies. The PCB has asked Afridi to give proper reasons as to why an action should not be taken against him for violating the Code of Conduct by giving public statement against the team management.
An official of the board said: “The PCB has taken notice of the statements made by Afridi in the media about the differences within the tour management in the West Indies. It is a violation of Code of Conduct on part of Afridi and an explanation has been sought from him for the reasons to make such statements publicly. The PCB will take appropriate action after submission of the tour-report at the conclusion of the tour.” Afridi, on his return from the West Indies, spoke of differences within the team management.
Sources close to the chairman said that Ijaz Butt was irked with his outburst and would be taking stern action. He pointed out that the board was trying to resolve issues but they (the players) keep on creating problems. He further stated that the board has asked reasons from Afridi and he did not need to come over to the PCB headquarters to see the chairman and instead can send his reply and further action will be taken on the return of the team.
“The chairman doesn’t want to meet Afridi and he should reply to the notice instead. He didn’t want to learn and keep on creating problems,” he added. The PCB said in a statement that Afridi has violated the code of conduct and “appropriate action will be taken after the submission of the tour report at the conclusion of the (West Indies) tour.” Afridi returned home on Sunday after leading Pakistan to a 3-2 victory against the West Indies in the one-day series.
He told reporters that differences between the team management were not those “which could not be resolved, but everyone should do his job and need not interfere in other’s work.” Pakistan won the first three one-dayers, but lost the remaining two matches including a 10-wicket defeat in the final ODI.
