KARACHI — Retired cricket star Shahid Afridi will not appear as summoned before a Pakistani disciplinary committee on June 8 to face charges of violating a code of conduct, his lawyer said Monday.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) told Afridi to appear before a three-man disciplinary committee after the former one-day captain abruptly decided to retire from international cricket last week.
"The process followed by the PCB does not conform with the law as even under Pakistan's constitution there is a right given to everyone to be heard before a case is decided," Afridi's lawyer Syed Ali Zafar told a news conference.
The PCB said Afridi violated the players' code of conduct in announcing his retirement and suspended his central contract and revoked all no-objection certificates (NOCs) that would have allowed him to play abroad.
The move prevents him from playing for Hampshire in the Twenty20 league in England and in next month's Sri Lankan Premier League.
Afridi had developed differences with coach Waqar Younis over selection matters during last month's tour of the West Indies and his public criticism saw the PCB replace him as captain.
The star also levelled serious allegations of mistreatment against the PCB, saying he would not play under the current board set-up, headed by Ijaz Butt.
When asked if Afridi might take legal action should the PCB committee take action in his absence, Zafar said: "all the options are open. We will knock (on) the door of justice and that we have repeated all through this case."
Zafar said the PCB had taken strict steps without giving Afridi a chance to tell his side of the story.
"The PCB served the first show-cause notice on May 18 and then suddenly Afridi's NOCs were revoked and his central contract was suspended, which was against the law," said Zafar, speaking in English.
Afridi, who returned from England to a rousing welcome from fans on Sunday, said the PCB should have given him a chance to air his views.
"The PCB chairman took a decision based on whatever management told him. He should have given me a chance to speak over happenings in the West Indies," Afridi told the news conference.
Afridi also disagreed with the process of the disciplinary action.
"The committee belongs to PCB employees and they have to take a decision on the same day. I can't understand the process," said Afridi of the committee comprising of Shafiq Ahmed, Sultan Rana and Usman Wahla.
"I have never cared about the captaincy. I have played under a number of players," said Afridi.
"A lot of other senior players also feel humiliated by treatment from the PCB but they can't stand and fight because of the central contract and many other things, but for me personal honour comes first," said Afridi.
But PCB legal adviser Tafazzul Rizvi stood by the procedure.
"The suspension of contract is not a punishment and if Afridi is not satisfied with the disciplinary committee's verdict he has a right to appeal before an independent tribunal," said Rizvi.
Rizvi said Afridi's lawyer could attend the June 8 meeting. (AFP)
