PSL Fixing Saga: Mohammaed Irfan suspended for 1 year. But can return in six months?

[Malcolm Merlyn]

Quote

Fast bowler Mohammad Irfan has been banned from all forms of cricket for a year after he pleaded guilty to failing to report details of two approaches to corrupt the game. He can return, however, after six months if he assists the PCB in their ongoing investigations into the PSL corruption scandal, and if he doesn't breach the board's anti-corruption code in that time. He has also been fined PKR 1 million. His ban is effective from the day he was provisionally suspended on March 14.

A PCB press release said Irfan was found to be in breach of "failing to disclose to the PCB Vigilance and Security Department (without unnecessary delay) full details of any approaches or invitations received by the Participant to engage in Corrupt Conduct under this Anti-Corruption Code."

"I was approached twice and it was my mistake that I did not report it to PCB's anti-corruption unit," Irfan said at a press conference in Lahore. "I admit my mistake for not reporting. I ask the whole nation to forgive me if anyone is hurt by this mistake of mine."

The ban will come as a blow to Irfan as well as to Pakistan. Though he last played for Pakistan in an ODI last September and had been falling out of favour, he was recalled to the ODI squad in January for the series against Australia. He had to return home almost as soon as he arrived, however, following the death of his mother.

Rumman Raees and Mohammad Sami took more wickets than him in the PSL this season, but after an uncertain start following his questioning in relation to the corruption investigation, Irfan looked to be bowling somewhere near his best. Instead, he will now have to hit restart after at least a six-month break, a period in which his only cricketing activity will be to deliver lectures under the PCB's anti-corruption education programme.

Irfan, along with Shahzaib Hasan and Zulfiqar Babar, was initially questioned by the PCB's anti-corruption unit during the recently-concluded Pakistan Super League, but was allowed to continue playing in the tournament. Earlier this month, however, Irfan was provisionally suspended from all forms after he was summoned to appear before the anti-corruption committee.

Shahzaib, provisionally suspended, is also facing charges of having breached the anti-corruption code of conduct and he has till the end of this week to respond. Meanwhile, Irfan's Islamabad United team-mates Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif are already facing up to a three-man tribunal looking into more serious corruption charges laid against them.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/story/1089172.html

 

Seems like a token punishment. The usual service has started in Pak cricket after the initial show of toughness.Somethings never change.

[sandeep]

The whole PSL fixing saga was more about PR management than actual facts.  They wanted to be seen as managing the issue promptly - it was less important to actually go about managing it, than managing the perception.  Pretty much how everything happens in Pakistan apparently.  Facts not important, perception management more important.  

[Laaloo]

So everyone's a fixer in PSL. At least every Pakistani it seems.

Edited March 29, 2017 by laaloo

[Ultimate_Game]

Wait and watch how every fixer gets back into the team in time for CT. PCB doesn't have a moral compass and don't understand the meaning of integrity.

[Pollack]

He failed to report bookie’s approach. Why would you want stricter punishment? What happens to S khan and latif would be more interesting.

[TheWall]

Guilty but free...

[Zero_Unit]

I don't think PCB realizes that what a joke of a board it is. Proven fixers gets a second shot within no times so why would the current bunch care much to begin with? In their head, oh i'll just come back in a couple of months or so, in the mean time let me make this X amount of money. 

[OpeningBatsman]

He's done anyways. Will be 35 before his ban is lifted. 

[Iconoclast]

OP (mod he is) should think before making a thread.

 

Irfan is not charged with FIXING

 

He is suspended for not reporting approach by bookies.

[speedheat]

This is laughable, Pakistan is filled with cowards and crooks,uninstalling one of them won't matter much!

[Vilander]

Irfan should not have fixed like this....che che che.