PCB bans fast bowler Irfan for one year

Fast-bowler apologises for not informing PCB after being contacted by bookies

The Pakistan Cricket Board has suspended fast bowler Mohammad Irfan for a year and fined Rs1 million after failing to disclose two approaches made by bookmakers during this year’s Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The 34-year-old, who played for Islamabad United in the 2017 PSL, admitted the charges levelled against him by the PCB’s anti-corruption unit. The PCB on Wednesday said it will review the suspension after six months, at which point Irfan’s contract may be restored.

Over seven feet tall, he has played four tests, 60 one-day internationals and 20 Twenty20 internationals.

Mohammad Irfan under investigation but not suspended yet

The PCB said last month it was investigating whether an international betting syndicate was trying to influence matches in the PSL.

Irfan said he had not spoken out at the time because he was under mental stress following the death of his parents.

“I accept my mistake,” he told a press conference at the Pakistan Cricket Board's headquarters in Lahore.

“I was asked to carry out fixes but I did not commit any such crime. My mistake was not reporting these offers.

“I confess and say sorry to the fans,” he added.

Mohammad Azam, head of the PCB's anti-corruption unit, said the player’s admission meant he was not required to appear before a tribunal which is set to hear the cases of four other players linked to the scandal.

Shahzaib, Zulfiqar cleared but Irfan still under investigation: PCB chairman

Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, Shahzaib Hasan and Nasir Jamshed have all been ensnared in the saga which took place around the Pakistan Super League held earlier this month.

Azam added that Irfan could be eligible to return from his suspension six months early if he took part in lectures on the importance of anti-corruption laws.

“You are aware that on March 14 the board called in and suspended me on the basis of two allegations, out of which I accept that it was my fault that I failed to let the board know when bookies approached me,” Irfan told reporters on Wednesday.

“I am formally asking the nation for their forgiveness and hope that I will be pardoned.”

Pakistan were involved in spot-fixing case in 2010 when three players –Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt – were suspended and later jailed for their part in incidents during a test match against England at Lord’s.

All three are now playing competitively again, with Amir part of the Karachi Kings’ squad for this season's PSL.