Lahore June 5, 2011: PCB notes with great concern that an internal disciplinary action against Shahid Afridi is being converted into a political issue. A Number of political functionaries are interfering in what is essentially an internal disciplinary matter of the PCB.
Despite the extremely irresponsible attitude and inflammatory statements of Shahid Afridi, PCB reiterate that he will be given every opportunity to state his position and make his case in front of the Disciplinary Committee. The party aggrieved by the decision of the Committee will have the right to approach an Appellate Tribunal comprising of retired Supreme Court/High Court judges.
Chairman PCB stated on this occasion, “It is disappointing that despite Afridi has pleaded guilty to the offenses, some political functionaries are extending their support with a view to influencing the disciplinary process being followed by PCB. An understanding needs to be developed amongst all stakeholders, media and the politicians that no one is above the law and that for maintaining discipline within the Team, it is absolutely imperative that we carry out of this process without any fear or favour. PCB has been criticized for being ineffective in the past in the context of discipline. It would now appear an attempt by some forces to prevent the Board from implementing the code of conduct and their act may well damage Pakistan Cricket, if they continue to lend support to Afridi and exert undue pressure on PCB for their ‘non-cricketing’ interests”.
