PCB Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmed stated that the disciplinary process initiated against former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi was not the matter of a victory or a defeat for the PCB.
“All the disciplinary steps against him were the part of the board’s clearly laid down disciplinary process,” Ahmed said. “Our viewpoint remains clear that Afridi or any other player/official has to submit to the disciplinary process if they have breached any provision of their central contract or the code of conduct for players. Shahid did that, so the board held its disciplinary hearing and the committee heard him out and announced its recommendations,” he added.
The PCB official insisted that the whole process involving Afridi had once again highlighted the PCB’s determination to implement its code of conduct without any fear or favour.
The all-rounder had also denounced some officials of the board particularly PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt. But hardly a week after his conference and filing a petition in the high court he was in Islamabad using his political connections to meet with Butt and sort out the issue under an agreement that included withdrawing his petition from the court and appearing before the disciplinary committee which he did on Thursday.
Ahmed made it clear that under ICC regulations all players whether retired or active had to get clearance from their home boards to go and play anywhere. The PCB official said that the board was happy as the chapter was closed as it had high regard for Afridi’s contribution to Pakistan cricket as a player and captain.
