Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi’s lawyer has criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s decision to form a four-member committee for hearing a disciplinary case against the former all-rounder.
The PCB has initiated action against Afridi in response to the breaches he committed under the Central Contract signed with the board by “announcing his retirement in the manner that he did”, and in “passing disparaging remarks” about the board and its officials.
The board had also issued a show cause notice to him seeking his explanation on these comments.
The committee will hold its proceedings in camera and no outsider will be allowed to take part.
“It appears that the PCB has already made up its mind and has come to the conclusion that Shahid Afridi is guilty,” The Dawn quoted Afridi’s lawyer Syed Zafar Ali, as saying.
“The disciplinary proceeding is in fact a sham,” he added.
Ali said that the board had no legal right to suspend the central contract or revoke the No Objection Certificates (NOCs), and insisted that it could be challenged “in a court of law.”
The lawyer further said that the former all-rounder wants to avoid any confrontation with the cricket board and just wants to answer the case against him.
It said that Afridi has been asked to appear before the committee on June 8 at 3.00 pm at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Under the terms of a central contract, a Pakistan player is bound not to violate the PCB’s code of conduct, even after he announces his retirement.
It is also mandatory for every player to get a NOC from the board if he wishes to compete in any cricketing event abroad. ANI
