34-year-old Pakistani bowler Mohammad Irfan has been handed a 12-month ban, with six months to be suspended, and also a one million rupees fine for breaching Pakistan’s anti-corruption code.
He was found guilty of two charges for failing to disclose to the board the approaches made by the bookies during Pakistan Super League 2017. During a press conference, a PCB spokesperson said that he has been suspended for violating the anti-corruption guideline.
“If any such breach(es) take place the PCB shall reserve the right to initiate separate and independent proceedings against Irfan under the Code [Anti-Corruption Code for Participants 2015],” according to the PCB press statement.
The bowler, however, asked for forgiveness and also denied that he was directly involved in the incident. With that being done, Mohammad Irfan will now be under the vigilance of the Pakistan Cricket board and will further help them in their Anti-Corruption programs which include giving lectures on Anti-Corruption.
“I was approached twice and it was my mistake that I did not report it to PCB’s anti-corruption unit,” Irfan told reporters today.
“I admit my mistake for not reporting it to the ACU but I didn’t get involved in any corrupt activity and gave a shut-up call to those who approached me.
“I ask the whole nation to forgive me if anyone is hurt by this mistake of mine. I hope you will forgive me.”
The 34-year-old has joined the list of Nasir Jamshed, Sharjeel Khan, Shahzaib Hasan and Khalid Latif. All these names were banned by the board due to their involvement in corruption in PSL.
His bowling was considered as one of the best in the industry, however, his form dipped eventually, but for the Pakistan Cricket team, this will be a huge blow as they will be without his services in the upcoming Champions Trophy tournament in England, where they will also meet India.
His last international appearance came back in September in a one-day international at Headingley in England. In the domestic circuit, he was playing with Islamabad United, who won the first edition of PSL.
