PSL spot-fixing: Mohammad Irfan pleads guilty, banned for one year

LAHORE: Fast bowler Mohammad Irfan has been banned for one year by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PSB) here on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty of violating the anti-corruption code before the investigation committee of the board.

He was charged for being involved in spot-fixing during the second edition of the Pakistan Super League.

Irfan admitted before the committee that he was approached twice by the bookies but he refused to be involved in any spot-fixing corruption.   

The 34-year-old said he could not inform the PCB of these contacts as he was was under mental stress following the death of his parents.

"I accept my mistake," he told a press conference here at the PCB headquarters. "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 apologise to the fans," he added.

After a thorough investigation by the PCB’s Anti-Corruption Unit, Irfan has been fined Rs1,000,000 and awarded a year-long ban, split into two equal parts as he cannot play cricket for the first six months and if his conduct is satisfactory during the first half-year then his ban may be waived for the remaining six months.

This was announced by the PCB spokesman, Mohammad Azam, head of the PCB´s anti-corruption unit at a press conference here on Wednesday.

He further said that Irfan’s  central contract with PCB has also been suspended for six months. This will remain suspended and no new contract will be offered to him, said PCB spokesperson.

The PCB code of conduct prohibits the cricketer from violating any other guidelines of the Anti-Corruption Unit. “If any such breach(es) take place the PCB shall reserve the right to initiate separate and independent proceedings against Irfan under the Code [Anti-Corruption Code for Participants 2015],” according to the PCB press statement.

Moreover, Irfan will also have to provide substantial assistance to the PCB vigilance and security. He will have to participate in programmes of Anti-Corruption Education, which includes giving lectures on anti-corruption to the young cricketers.

Irfan while speaking at the press conference, accepted his mistake and said, “it was my mistake. I apologise if I hurt anyone.”

Irfan had been charged with two violations of the PCB’s anti-corruption code for failing to disclose to the board the approaches made by the bookies during Pakistan Super League 2017.

Anti-Corruption Code for Participants 2015 Article 2.4.4, under which the pacer has been charged, states: "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.”

Earlier this month Irfan appeared before the board’s Anti-Corruption Unit, where he admitted in his video statement that he was contacted by bookies during the tournament but had not reported the approach to the PCB, as he had been under “mental duress due to the recent death of his parents.”

Irfan had submitted his reply to board’s Anti-Corruption Unit on Wednesday.

The PCB spokesman 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.

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

Irfan made headlines for his extraordinary height -- seven feet and one inch or 216 centimetres -- when he made his international debut in 2010 and stands as the tallest-ever player to feature in world cricket.

He has so far played four Tests and 20 Twenty20 internationals, but has achieved most success in his 60 one-day internationals, where he has taken 83 wickets at an average of 30.71.