Politicians in Pakistan are getting themselves involved in Shahid Afridi’s case and the Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman, Ijaz Butt, has requested them to keep themselves away so that proper disciplinary action can be taken against him.
Butt said, "It is disappointing that despite Afridi pleading guilty to the offences, some political functionaries are extending their support with a view to influencing the disciplinary process being followed by PCB. An understanding needs to be developed among all stakeholders, media and the politicians that no one is above the law and that, for maintaining discipline within the team, it is absolutely imperative that we carry out this process without any fear or favour”.
Shahid Afridi pleaded guilty as he broke the discipline of the board by speaking openly against the coach of the Pakistan cricket team, Waqar Younis, on his unnecessary involvement in the team matters during their recent visit of West Indies.
He also spoke against the team manager, Intikhab Alam, blaming him for not keeping his word.
Afridi has played 325 ODI matches for Pakistan and has recently led them to series victories against New Zealand, West Indies and to the World Cup 2011 semi-finals.
He was removed from captaincy of the Pakistan team for the two match One Day International (ODI) series against Ireland but was included as a player. Misbah-ul-Haq was nominated as captain and he led the side to 2-0 victory in the series.
Afridi did not participate in the series against Ireland because he had to visit his ailing father.
The Chairman of PCB has been approached by a few politicians of the country including the Interior Minister, Rehman Malik, who has promised Afridi that he will try to get his case resolved. Malik, also added that he was a great fan of Afridi and would like to see him on the cricketing field again.
Afridi met the Co-Chairman of Pakistan Peoples’ Party, Bilawal Bhutto in London and requested him to look into the matter. He also stated that he will try to involve the President of Pakistan, Asif Zardari, in his case.
PCB has been blamed in the past for not taking disciplinary action against players that violate the rules. Butt has requested politicians to let the PCB work freely so that no player can breach the code of conduct in the future.
