In a massive blow to Pakistan cricket, the Pakistan Cricket Board on March 14 suspended Mohammad Irfan in connection with a spot-fixing case. According to the reports, the left-arm pacer has accepted that he had been contacted by bookies during the Pakistan Super League tournament. Apparently, two other cricketers—Zulfiqur Babar and Shazaib Hassan—were also questioned about their involvement in it.
“Irfan has been charged with two violations of Code Article 2.4.4 and now has 14 days to respond to the Notice of Charge,” said a PCB spokesman.
Irfan has meanwhile been provisionally suspended with immediate effect from participating in all forms of cricket.
The PCB’s anti-corruption code 2.4.4 states: “Failing to disclose to the PCB Vigilance and Security Department—without unnecessary delay—full details of any approaches or invitations received by the Participant to engage in Corrupt Conduct under this Anti-Corruption Code.”
BREAKING: Mohammad Irfan charged with violations of the anti-corruption code and provisionally suspended by PCB: https://t.co/rcIk9NJn4o pic.twitter.com/8nitGTnAPH
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 14, 2017
Mohammad Irfan, like Salman Butt and Mohammad Aamir, will now face the dark side of the law.
In the past, it may be recalled that Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif and Shahzaib Hasan, Irfan were accused of allegedly meeting a bookie soon after the inaugural PSL match between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United in Dubai. While Sharjeel and Khalid were immediately sidelined, the PCB allowed Irfan and Shahzaib to continue playing in the league after initial inquiries.
Probably, this case is being looked at and treated differently because Peshawar Zalmi reached the finals and won the coveted crown. With reports coming in, we get to learn that he is already being probed relating to this incident.
