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Afridi walks out a 'happy' man
Former captain available for Hampshire after NOC reinstated, fined for breach of code of conduct.
Former captain available for Hampshire after NOC reinstated, fined for breach of code of conduct. ILLUSTRATION: ANAM HALEEM
LAHORE:
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Shahid Afridi’s showdown ended after a disciplinary hearing, held yesterday, fined the former captain Rs4.5 million and reinstated the NOC that allows him to play in foreign leagues.
Afridi, who pleaded guilty on charges of breaching the PCB’s code of conduct and regretted his actions, escaped a possible ban due to his retirement from international cricket. The all-rounder appeared before the PCB’s internal hearing after he met with the PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt and withdrew a petition – against sanctions imposed by the board – in the Sindh High Court.
The PCB had revoked his NOC to participate in foreign leagues and suspended his central contract after he announced his retirement that was conditioned on the removal of the current PCB set-up.
Following the sanctions, Afridi filed a petition and had a stay issued on the board’s internal hearing.
But after meeting the chairman, Afridi withdrew his petition and agreed to appear before the hearing.
After a five-hour long hearing, Afridi pleaded guilty and accepted the fine, confirmed the PCB’s legal advisor Taffazul Rizvi.
“Afridi regretted the matter and said he will not contest the charges,” Rizvi told reporters. “He explained his conduct for which he was suspended from the contract. The committee unanimously decided to fine him Rs4.5 million for various breaches of the central contract and the code of conduct.
“And since Afridi has accepted the penalty his NOC to play for Hampshire has been reinstated.”
Afridi welcomes decision
The all-rounder, who accepted the verdict, was a visibly happy man at the outcome of the dispute.
“The dispute had damaged a lot,” said Afridi. “I conveyed all the reasons and circumstances that led to my dispute and everything went nicely and amicably.
“I accept the penalty and I am happy that my NOC has been reinstated. As far as my retirement is concerned, I am in no mood to play international cricket right now.”
Afridi not sorry for mistakes
Afridi, who retired in protest after he was removed from the One-Day International captaincy, admitted his mistakes but added that circumstances forced him to make those decisions. “I admit I have made mistakes but I am not sorry for them because the circumstances forced me,” said Afridi after the first session of the meeting.
The all-rounder did not contest the suspension of his contract and had a one-point agenda — to have his NOC reinstated to play for Hampshire.
He confirmed that he is not available for Pakistan and he was there to take back his NOC.
“He only contested for the revoked NOC,” said Director Domestic Cricket Sultan Rana and a member of the panel that heard Afridi’s case.
“His central contract that was suspended still stands and assuming his retirement from international cricket we did not have to mull over a ban option.”
Shahid Afridi
“I admit I have made mistakes but I am not sorry for them because the circumstances forced me. I accept the penalty and I am happy my NOC has been reinstated. As far as my retirement goes, I am in no mood to play international cricket right now.”
Sultan Rana
“He only contested for the reinstatement of his NOC so he could play in the English county season. His central contract suspension still stands and assuming his retirement from international cricket we did not mull over a ban option.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 17th, 2011.
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Why single out Afridi alone for not Apologizing? Did our media ask for apology from musharraf for NRO or coup or for lal masjid or kargil war? Did our Generals apologize for OBL episode, PNS mehran or Raymond davis or karachi killings? Did they apologize for every war they fought that they lost & split the nation?
Why is media against Afridi alone? He didn’t do any crime & wants to play. Is it a crime?Recommend
Afridi tamasha continuesRecommend
:S what is the difference between accepting a mistake and refusing to apologize??Recommend
boom boom doouzzz,,, I think this is enough for you.If you are on right way then why you accepts your mistakes.Totally politically mentality u have. I dont think so that you will be able to member of Pak team. You should personally check your performance, in 300 hundred matches you have just 20 average i think and your overall perfermnace is like street player.
Think before act, dont black mail PCBRecommend
Afridi you are liking your own spit shame on you. Pakistan cricket board and its team full of dramas.Recommend
Afridi should be made coach of our Ping Pong team. Thats something hes more good at than consistent cricket ….Recommend
You either apologize for your mistake if you accept it (meaning you are wrong), or don’t apologize if you think its not your mistake (meaning you are right). How in the world is it possible to accept your mistake and yet refuse to apologize?Recommend
Afridi we love u…………………………………Recommend
There is absolutely no need for him to apologize. He did nothing wrong and it is high time for some serious change in the PCB.Recommend
Nobody apologises for anything in Pakistan. Period.Recommend
In the absence of leader and role model, countries like Pakistan go in chaos. We need a true leader to lead and lift the nation. Current regime is only good in corruption.Recommend
wrong decision by Afridi, he said he was right, he got the public support also then he must have stood on his terms. he jst ve thought in personal terms n nt in favor of entire cricket structure in Pakistan. his stand could ve made the things better in cricket bt this is the difference b/w a great n an ordinary leader.if IK was at hs place he wd never have moved back.when he is accepting his mistake then whats the point of not appoligizing.Recommend
Lol at the person who is comparing Musharraf saahib to BOOM BOOM!Recommend
A Pakistani who is wrong? Impossible. Everyone is right. Every conspiracy theory is true.Recommend
Shahid Bhai you are our hero , but you think before you speak.Recommend
Is this a Joke or what… are we not living in the 21st century in a civilized society. I respect Afridi as a Decent cricketer, but I don’t get his logic of “wouldn’t apologize”. If this is a sign of our attitude as a Nation….. God help us then!Recommend
Not apologizing means he don’t agree with the PCB’s code of conduct…Recommend
allah created pakistan to be a constant source of entertainment for rest of the world.this country never ceases to amaze!!!Recommend
We shouldn’t be running afraid down as far as I can see he is the first to stand up against pcb leader mr buttRecommend
@Chilli:
Imran KhanRecommend
HE SHOULD COME BACK IN PAK TEAM …..Recommend
@positive pakistani:
Pakistani players do not apologize, even if they are caught with wads of money in their room. Even the video recordings and convictions are not worth apologizing. Most of us knew that he has dug himself in a big political and legal hole and he cannot come out of that without punishment. The game should not be politicized and personalized at all costs. By showing regret and accepting the verdict and paying fine, Afridi’s bubble has popped. Still his arrogance is not making him any better person. Only brave, educated and open minded people apologize and reform themselves.Recommend
selfish selfish selfish selfish people, we are very foolish, how we call them national heros?Recommend
Great Decision by Afridi. If he went back to the team he would have been kicked by the next match for not showing “performance”. Especially as all PCB, the Coach and much of the team is against him.Btw he is sticking to his word he said he wont play in this team with the current PCB and he is not. In a year or two when BUTT leaves he will be welcome… He deserve to play a few years in county and make some dough.Recommend
Afrdi is Happy after making Nation sad !!Recommend
Come on he took the good decision. I think he realized this is Pakistan nothing going to happen here and he cannot change the system .There’s no benefit to confront this corrupt system.He gave up. Just took his NOC and make his path to play leagues. I will say wise decision.Recommend
This was the safest route to ensure both parties remained to their positions, Afridi is still on his words, Ijaz Butt is on his words too…
this whole drama was created because, IJAZ BUTT cant be removed as PCB chairman..his contract expires in october 2011, which i believe wont be renewd! THE ONLY WAY TO GET HIM OUT OF THIS…since he wouldnot resign. And therefore, Afridi was slapped with a hefty fine, urged to take his petition back against PCB and he would be granted NOC which he required!
U wont see Afridi playing Internation Cricket till October, once the chariman is changed he would get back!Recommend
‘When you are counting cash, the focus is on cash and cash alone so that no mistake can take place’, Afridi, the cashier, while counting british pound sterling.
Ethics can take a hike :)Recommend
Irresponsible utterness in the media = Rs. 4.5Million cost
Afridi can afford it – - -Recommend
such a fooolist person , Afridi didnt show his patriotism….. he fought just earned money from english or other country cricket rather than support or promote cricket in pakistan.. if PCB didnt stop him to play county league than he had no problem .. he would have gone and play for money…. he is not able to lead our cricket team even he can not be consider as national hero…. i m very regretfully to write this kind of msg.. but i m feeling very sorry to whole drama……….Recommend
Afridi has really disappointed his fans. This is utter foolishness and I can assure you he now has alot less fans for sure!Recommend
Afridi is laughing all the way to the bank!Recommend
shame on this nation for being so ignorant and backing a person who thought he was above the law and gathering the support of our extremist media. this nation takes it for granted that any sheeda maacha or gamma who stands against the authority, not withstanding guilty or not, has to be supported by the 17 crore shoodars of this countryRecommend
Basically he said only reason I did all this was because they stopped me from getting paid abroad. Goodbye Shahid.. You will not be missed.Recommend
Fastest Century in ODI Cricket,Longest Six Of Cricket History in Melbourne against Australia,Maximum Sixes in ODI Cricket,Maximum Strike Rate,Maximum Wickets In T20 Cricket,Maximum Wickets in World Cup 2011.
Never ever involved in match fixing,Winning Captain of Last two ODI serieses……….These all records only belong to Afridi…….Afridi is a living legend…..GO TO HELL IJAZ BUTT & WAQAR YOUNUS.Recommend