Irfan Sr gave his passport to the UK embassy hoping that they would return it in time. However, that did not happen, much to the ire of the PHF. PHOTO: AFP
Fareed Ahmed has been named as the new captain, while Haseem Khan will be the vice-captain for the event which begins today.
In an epic blunder, Irfan Sr had informed the PHF that he already had a visa for Malaysia and therefore did not need to submit his passport when the whole team was applying for the visas, revealed PHF Secretary Shahbaz Ahmed Sr.
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Instead he applied for a visa to the UK expecting it to be returned before the start of the Asian Champions Trophy. However, the UK embassy did not return his passport in time, putting him and the PHF in an awkward position with Shahbaz vowing to ‘take appropriate action’ against the 26-year-old.
“Irfan Sr didn’t tell us the complete story and in doing so has put the federation and the team in a difficult position,” said Shahbaz. “Appropriate action will be taken against him for his irresponsible behaviour, especially being the captain of the team.”
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Shahbaz further stated that players need to inform the PHF and obtain an NOC before submitting their passports to any foreign embassy. “Any player who needs to apply for any visa should get an NOC from the federation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Faisal Qadir has been sent to Malaysia as Irfan Sr’s replacement.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 19th, 2016.
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