Asif Afridi's inclusion in the team for South Africa series sparks debate

The 39-year-old was convicted in a corruption case and received a two-year ban from the PCB

KARACHI:

Questions are being raised over the sudden inclusion of Asif Afridi, convicted in a corruption case, into the national team at the age of 39. The PCB had imposed a two-year ban on the spinner in February 2023, but it was surprisingly lifted within just one year.

According to details, in 2022, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s left-arm spinner Asif Afridi was suspended by the PCB for violating the Anti-Corruption Code during the National T20 Cup. 

In February 2023, he was formally banned for two years, effective from September 12, 2022, the date of his initial suspension. But, in a surprising turn of events, he was allowed back into domestic cricket as early as October 2023.

Read: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2569764/pakistan-name-squad-for-south-africa-test-series

He was charged with breaching Article 2.4.10 of the Anti-Corruption Code – “directly or indirectly inducing, persuading, encouraging, inciting, or intentionally facilitating any participant to commit a violation.” His second charge was under Article 2.4.4 – failure to report corrupt approaches. For this, he received an additional six-month suspension, which ran concurrently with his two-year ban. Such offenses could have warranted a lifetime ban, but the board adopted a lenient approach.

Two other cricketers were also suspected in this case, and a coach’s role was deemed highly questionable, but no further investigations were carried out.

In the KPL Asif Afridi represented Rawalakot Hawks. Even before the tournament began, organizers had suspicions about him. 

When the PCB was asked, it replied that Asif was not barred from playing because the board wanted to “get to the root of the matter.”

In the first rain-affected match against Jammu Janbaz, he conceded 35 runs in 3 overs with one wicket. Before the next match against Kotli, instructions had already been given to closely monitor him. In that match, Rawalakot lost by 10 wickets. 

Batting at number three, Asif was bowled out first ball, and with the ball, he gave away 52 runs in 4 overs without taking a wicket. After the match, tournament organizers had a detailed discussion with the PCB Anti-Corruption Unit officer.

Shockingly, he was later selected for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s squad in the National T20 Cup, which drew criticism from certain quarters. Against Central Punjab, he picked 2 wickets for 24 runs, but after that, he wasn’t given another game and was again suspended.

It is worth noting that the first complaint against Asif was made in 2021 by a Test cricketer, who informed the PCB that Asif had approached him during the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, offering him to join a Bangladesh league and suggesting that he could also “play” in certain matches for someone else. The matter was reported to the PCB, which launched an investigation. During the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final, the Anti-Corruption Unit had even confiscated Asif Afridi’s mobile phone.

In a video statement, he confessed to his offense.

Despite this, his name was included in the PSL 2022 draft, and since the PCB gave no instructions, a franchise picked him. Although he wasn’t played in the first 8 matches, he featured in 5 games, taking 8 wickets at an average of 15.50. 

Surprisingly, he was also included in the squad for the home series against Australia, though he never got a chance to play.

Now, at the age of 39, he has once again been selected – this time for the Test series against South Africa. 

This is despite his average performances in the recent PSL and in first-class cricket. According to sources, a powerful selector strongly pushed for Asif’s return.