Politicising cricket

Former captain Shahid Afridi has decided to stand his ground and make no U-turn regarding his decision to return to international cricket after his clashes with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) which fined him Rs4.5million for disciplinary breaches.

“I will play domestic cricket if I am available,” he added.

Afridi locked horns with the PCB by announcing his retirement from international cricket after being dumped as limited-overs captain, and criticising the current management.

Afridi challenged the decision last week but the matter was settled out of the court following a meeting with PCB Chairman Butt in Islamabad, which followed Afridi’s appearance before the disciplinary committee on Thursday.

Politicising cricket

PCB’s mishandling

PCB’s former chairman Khalid Mehmood cited the whole episode a sham and reckoned that the PCB once again mishandled both the cases.

Meanwhile, PCB Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmed stated that if any player or official was to violate the board’s code of conduct, the PCB will take strict disciplinary action.

KARACHI — Former captain Shahid Afridi said Saturday he hoped to make a fresh start playing for Hampshire following his clashes with the Pakistan Cricket Board which fined him $53,000 for disciplinary breaches.

The committee restored Afridi's no-objection certificate (NOC) to clear the way for him to play abroad but levied a heavy fine.

Afridi said he would fly to England on Tuesday with a fresh mind.

When asked about a return to international cricket, Afridi said he would not reverse his decision.

The Afridi-PCB dispute has triggered a new debate on whether it’s fine for the authorities to abuse their powers to curb the so-called player-power?

A PCB official confided in Arab News that revoking Afridi's NOCs was a calculated move aimed at assuring the player's presence at a disciplinary hearing in Lahore. "The players have rights. The seasoned lawyer also believes that it's the PCB's duty to properly explain the contract's terms and conditions to the players.

According to Mandviwalla, the contract allows the PCB to even block a player's right to earn his living.