Pakistan cricketer banned for two years by PCB for breaching anti-corruption code

In a shocking and disappointing piece of news for Pakistan cricket, the PCB has slapped a ban of two years on the veteran bowling all-rounder Asif Afridi for breaching the Anti-Corruption code in two separate contexts. The suspension will be effective on the Peshawar cricketer for two years from the date of temporary suspension, which is the 12^th of September last year in 2022.

The code which Asif Afridi has violated falls in article 2.4.10 which states about “directly or indirectly soliciting, inducing, persuading, encouraging or intentionally facilitating any participant to breach any of the foregoing provisions of this article 2.4.”

The current PCB chief Najam Sethi also talked about the same case in his recent statement, in which he explained the ban imposed on Asif Afridi by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Here's what PCB Chief Najam Sethi on the ban imposed on Asif Afridi

“It gives the PCB no joy to suspend an international cricketer for two years, but we have a zero-tolerance approach towards such offenses,” said Sethi to ESPNcricinfo.

As the game’s governing body, we need to make examples, handle such matters robustly, and send out strong messages to all cricketers. It is bitter fact that corruption poses a threat to our sport as selfish corrupters lure cricketers in different ways and methods. That’s precisely why the PCB has been investing heavily in player education so that they remain vigilant and can help the PCV eradicate this menace by reporting approaches. If despite all our best efforts to create awareness, a player falls victim to his greed, then the PCB has no sympathy,” he added later.

Notably, the 36-year-old cricketer hasn’t made any international appearances for the national side of Pakistan. But Pakistan included him in the squad for ODIs and T20Is when Australia visited them to play last year in the month of August. Before the ban was imposed, he played his last match in the National T20 Cup of Pakistan.