Mohammad Irfan summoned by ACU after being accused of spot-fixing by Shahzaib Hasan [Update #100]

[Pete Rose]

I want to repeat this again. Not reporting an approach by a bookie is a crime. It might be a minor crime, but it is still a crime. I know irfan would like to muddy the waters and say that the only real crime is match fixing and he did not do that, he just heard the bookie out.
The reason you are supposed to report bookie approaches is so that the authorities can watch out for that person and to ensure that he is no longer in the wider of circle of the entourage that players often have. If possible they would also want legal action against that bookie.
It shouldn't be so difficult to understand: a crime begins with a plan, then a recruitment, preparation, and then action. In involvement in each and any of these phases makes a personal liable to the maximum punishment allowed for each or all of these actions.
I personally believe Irfan is guilty of a lot worse in terms of intent, but since you can't prove intent easily, he should definitely be punished for not reporting the approach.
If I were a journalist I would hound him with the same question: 'Did you not report the bookie because you thought you might need him at some stage? Or was it because he was introduced to you by fellow players and you don't want to get them in trouble? Why did you keep quiet despite the rpeated anti-corruption training?

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just wanted to put up these points for my fans & cricket lovers. Prayers for everyone out there. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PakistanZindabad?src=hash">#PakistanZindabad</a> <a href="https://t.co/C4yZXM3Aq1">pic.twitter.com/C4yZXM3Aq1</a></p>— Mohammad Irfan (@M_IrfanOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/M_IrfanOfficial/status/850590584347676673">April 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Saj]

So this guy is trying to convince people that he forgot to tell the PCB that he had been approached by bookies due to the demise of his parents.

Does he think people are stupid?

 

[Abdullah719]

Mohammad Irfan's six-month suspension ends

The six-month ban on left-arm pacer Mohammad Irfan has ended thus meaning that he would be available for selection for next month's Sri Lankan T20I series. Irfan was initially suspended for a year by the Pakistan Cricket Board ( PCB) following the investigations into the spot-fixing allegations in the second edition of the Pakistan Super League ( PSL).

Along with the ban, he was fined Rs 1,000,000 after he admitted failing to report approaches by bookmakers in the aftermath of the scandal.

The 35-year-old also had his central contract suspended for a period of six months.

However, it was told to him that his playing-ban could get shortened to six months if he adheres to the suspension's guidelines, which he has successfully managed, making him free to resume his career. Irfan said that the past six months were the toughest of his life.
"As a cricketer, knowing that you cannot play cricket hurts badly," Irfan said.

"When a player is banned from doing something he has done all his life, it really hurts," he added.

http://www.indiatvnews.com/sports/cricket-mohammad-irfan-s-six-month-suspension-ends-401485

 

[Abdullah719]

Irfan completes ban period, hopes to play T20 against SL in Lahore

KARACHI: Giant fast bowler Mohammad Irfan, who completed the period of his six-month PCB ban here on Thursday, is hoping that the ban will now be lifted and expressed hope to play the T20 match against Sri Lanka, set to be held in Lahore in October this year.

Irfan was suspended for one year and fined Rs1,000,000 after he admitted his failure to report approaches by bookmakers linked to spot-fixing and his central contract was suspended for six months.

The cricketer also had to provide substantial assistance to the PCB vigilance and security and had to participate in programmes of Anti-Corruption Education, which included giving lectures on anti-corruption.

The player’s central contract with PCB remained suspended and no new contract was offered to him, and it was stated that if the sportsman succeeds in following the suspension guidelines of the PCB then he will be able to play cricket after six months.

Irfan, however, expressed sadness at missing the Independence Cup matches against the World XI which would have given him opportunity to play in front of home crowds and on home turf.

The fast bowler told Dawn News that the six months of the ban were the most crucial of his life and career. “I was very unlucky to have the ban at a time when international cricket was returning home and was not able to be a part of the historical match,” he said.

“Being a cricketer knowing that you cannot play cricket hurts badly. When a player is banned for which he has worked hard all his life, it really hurts especially when you see your dream match happening in front of you,” he said.

He further added that he is eyeing to make a comeback in the team before the Sri Lankan series of which the last T20 match is scheduled to be held in Lahore. “I always has a dream to play international match at my home ground in front of Pakistani fans and I am sad that when all this is happening I am not able to be part of the match,” he said.

“I have worked on my fitness for the last six months, day and night I went to my private gym and ground for training privately. I am all set to take part in the upcoming Quaid-i-Azam Trophy representing Wapda and will give my best to perform and make comeback in the national team,” he said. “I am eyeing to be part of the Sri Lanka series where the last T20 match will be played in Lahore.”

He also thanked all the people involved during his ban. “I am glad I was surrounded by such good family and friends who supported me well in these six months, but this has made me realize that how important is to inform the PCB officials about anyone contacting you for spot fixing,” he said.

Talking about the official announcement of the end of his ban, he said, “As every official of PCB is busy in the World XI series, I will be contacting them over phone and then they will give me time to meet and for the official letter after which is will be able to play cricket.”

https://www.dawn.com/news/1357674/irfan-completes-ban-period-hopes-to-play-t20-against-sl-in-lahore

 

[Poutine]

Also if i am not wrong Nawaz was banned for something similar and now he is back in the playing XI.

 

[badsha001]

Might as well bring Asif, butt and sharjeel too... And please no discrimination against Kaneria

 

[hadi123]

I think ODI's are his best format if you look at the stats but whether he has the fitness to still play them remains to be seen. I hope he has been working on his fitness etc during his suspension. If he proves himself in domestic cricket, I have no problem in him returning to the team.

 

[MenInG]

He is now training with WAPDA for QEA Trophy

 

[Savak]

I think he should just focus on the PSL now. He doesn't offer much to the team anymore since he lost that yard of pace.

 

[Saj]

Lucky to get away with a short ban and frankly given his poor levels of fitness he needs to just play domestic cricket until retirement.

 

[msb314]

Lucky to get away with a short ban and frankly given his poor levels of fitness he needs to just play domestic cricket until retirement.

Not even domestic - he just needs to retire so younger players can get the exposure.

 

[Nasty Naz]

He shouldn't be in any consideration whatsoever for any sort of format at this point. Even in his best format of ODI his bowling stats are mediocre and he brings zero batting and probably brings negative value to the team with his horrendous fielding.

It would be a step backwards to have him on any squads at this point.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Bad fielder bad batter and average bowler and a criminal.

 

[Abdullah719]

Irfan to lecture Pakistani team on anti-corruption

Pakistan’s fast bowler Mohammad Irfan is set to lecture the members of the Pakistani team on anti-corruption after the bowler serves a six-month ban for violating the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) anti-corruption code.

Irfan’s lecture to the Pakistani team on anti-corruption is part of his rehabilitation process. Irfan was suspended by the PCB for twelve months after he delayed reporting the corrupt approaches made to him earlier this year in March; six months of the sentence remains suspended.

Delivering an anti-corruption lecture is part of players’ rehabilitation program before rejoining the national squad, and Irfan is set to take the first step towards his rehab on Wednesday.

Sources confirm that Irfan has been called by PCB to deliver an anti-corruption lecture to the players who are part of the national team’s camp for the series against Sri Lanka.

Irfan, in his lecture on Wednesday, would tell players about consequences of ignoring the anti-corruption code. He is also set to play the Quaid-e-Azam trophy for WAPDA after completing the tenure of the ban.

35-year-old Irfan has represented Pakistan in 60 ODIs, 20 T20Is, and four test matches.

https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2017/09/19/irfan-to-lecture-pakistani-team-on-anti-corruption/

 

[Abdullah719]

Irfan requests LHC to remove name from ECL

Lahore: Pakistan left-arm pacer Mohammad Irfan filed an appeal in the Lahore High Court (LHC) to remove his name from the Exit Control List (ECL).

Irfan’s lawyer, Qadeer Khan, filed an application on fast-bowler’s behalf which said that the applicant has completed his ban and should be allowed to fly out of Pakistan.

The application was also sent to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Interior Ministry which said that Irfan wants to perform pilgrimage (Umrah).

When asked, PCB said they did not demand any player’s name to be entered in the ECL and if Irfan’s name is removed from the list, they will not have issues.

Irfan was banned for six months for not reporting an approach made by bookies during the second edition of the Pakistan Super League.

After completing his ban period, he is currently representing WAPDA in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1537559/7-irfan-requests-lhc-remove-name-ecl/

 

[adzzy786]

I don’t know why there’s so much dislike towards Irfan. I’m sure it was us at PakPassion that pushed for him to be in the team in the first place. Maybe we aren’t as expert as we think we are

 

[DRsohail]

no thanks we have many other options now,thank u for your services.

 

[Abdullah719]

Irfan requests LHC to remove name from ECL

Lahore: Pakistan left-arm pacer Mohammad Irfan filed an appeal in the Lahore High Court (LHC) to remove his name from the Exit Control List (ECL).

Irfan’s lawyer, Qadeer Khan, filed an application on fast-bowler’s behalf which said that the applicant has completed his ban and should be allowed to fly out of Pakistan.

The application was also sent to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Interior Ministry which said that Irfan wants to perform pilgrimage (Umrah).

When asked, PCB said they did not demand any player’s name to be entered in the ECL and if Irfan’s name is removed from the list, they will not have issues.

Irfan was banned for six months for not reporting an approach made by bookies during the second edition of the Pakistan Super League.

After completing his ban period, he is currently representing WAPDA in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1537559/7-irfan-requests-lhc-remove-name-ecl/

LHC lifts travel ban on Mohammad Irfan

LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday granted one-time permission to cricketer Mohammad Irfan to travel abroad for performing Umrah.

Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza passed these orders while disposing of a petition filed by the cricketer for removal of his name from the Exit Control List (ECL).

During the proceedings, Advocate Taffazul Rizvi on behalf of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) submitted that the board never asked to put the names of the cricketers, involved in spot-fixing scandal, on the ECL. However, the petitioner’s counsel requested the court to grant one-time permission of traveling abroad to Mohammad Irfan for performing Umrah.

To which, a federal law officer presenting a reply submitted that he had no objection if the cricketer was allowed to travel abroad for one-time. At this, the court disposed of the matter and allowed the cricketer to travel abroad for one-time.

Mohammad Irfan had submitted that several cricket players including him were put on ECL due to their involvement in spot fixing scandal.

He said that the PCB had put ban on him for few months over failure to report a solicitation from two bookies during the PSL tournament.

Irfan said that he had undergone the ban but despite that his name was not removed from the ECL. He submitted that the step was a violation of fundamental rights.

The cricketer submitted that he wanted to go for performing Umrah but could not travel due to inclusion of his name in the ECL.

He pleaded with the court to issue directions for removing his name from the ECL. – APP

https://www.samaa.tv/sports/2017/11/lhc-lifts-travel-ban-on-mohammad-irfan/

 

[MenInG]

LAHORE: The Appellate Tribunal has dismissed petitions of both Sharjeel Khan and the Pakistan Cricket Board against the five-year ban imposed on the banned cricketer by PCB Anti-corruption Tribunal (ACU) in a spot-fixing case reported during the second edition of the Pakistan Super League this year.

On Wednesday, head of the tribunal retired Justice Fair Mohammad Khokhar read out his short decision in presence of both parties at the National Cricket Academy, while a detailed verdict decision will be given later.

On Sept 10, the ACU, headed by retired Justice Asghar Haider, suspended Sharjeel in the above-mentioned said case. But Sharjeel’s lawyer Shaigan Ijaz was not satisfied with the verdict handed out and submitted the petition in which pleaded for a reduced sentence.

O the other side the PCB also submitted a petition in which it pleaded for a more severe sentence since the board felt the tribunal had not punished Sharjeel enough after the cricketer was found guilty of breaching five different clauses of the Code of Conduct.

However, Justice Faqir upheld the decision of Asghar’s tribunal and rejected the pleas of both parties after hearing their arguments.

Now the Appellate Tribunal will hear out the petition of Khalid Latif, another Pakistan cricketer who is also not satisfied with the ACU’s decision to hand him a five-year suspension without any suspended period in the same PSL case.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Irfan prepares to defend himself before the ACU after being summoned after being accused of equally involved in spot-fixing by fellow Pakistan player Shahzaib Hasan.

Dawn learnt that Shahzaib’s lawyer had included Irfan as one of the witnesses and he wanted to cross-examine him with the claim he is equally involved in the spot-fixing in the 2017 PSL.

Irfan, who turned an approver, after initially admitting that a bookie met him in the UAE, but he failed to report the matter to the PCB.

However, Irfan claimed that he did not do any wrong except not reporting the incident. He was given a one-year suspension from all forms of cricket with a six-month suspended period, besides being fined Rs1 million.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1369391/appellate-tribunal-dismisses-petitions-of-sharjeel-and-pcb

 

[Abdullah719]

The plot thickens.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

a shame, Shahzaib is clearly in the dirt if he is now slinging mud on others, rightly or wrongly.

 

[cricketfan27]

Actually Irfan is the one throwing dirt on Shahzaib but as we all know Irfan did an inside deal and got out of it! So let him come and face the truth now!!!

Shahzaib was the only player who actually reported the incident and he wants to clear his name from any wrong doing.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

When all of this is done and dusted, can Pakpassion get together and write a fantasy skit for all this? Like a screenplay starting from 2010 spot fix scandal up until PSL 3.0

Would be an instant hit

 

[Titan24]

When all of this is done and dusted, can Pakpassion get together and write a fantasy skit for all this? Like a screenplay starting from 2010 spot fix scandal up until PSL 3.0

Would be an instant hit

I am not sure how long it's gonna take till we can actually call it done an dusted.

 

[MenInG]

“Being picked by Multan was like a dream come true" : Mohammad Irfan

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1563359/7-irfan-eager-make-lost-time/

KARACHI: Fast-bowler Muhammad Irfan, who became a household name due to his extraordinary height, has set his sights on once again returning to the upper echelons of cricket after slipping away from the public conscience due to a six-month ban imposed on him for his failure to report a spot-fixing approach made by a bookie.

Irfan terms those six months as some of the hardest of his life and said he felt lost during them.

Regretful Irfan excited about comeback

“When I was banned from cricket after the Pakistan Super League, I was so confused about what to do, but my friends and family helped me and told me to focus on my cricket,” the former Islamabad United pacer told The Express Tribune. “I knew in my head that all I needed to do was ensure that my fitness levels don’t dip and I would return even stronger.”

The hard yards spent improving his fitness seemed easy though compared to the mental anguish he faced during those times, agonising over whether any PSL side would sign him after his name was associated with corruption; so often the death knell for a cricketer.

“I spent most of my time training but at the back of my mind there was always this nagging doubt that made me question whether any of this is even going to pay off,” he said. “I kept asking myself whether I would be picked up for the third edition of the PSL or not.”

Like most great athletes though, Irfan says he harnessed that negative energy to further improve himself. “That doubt pushed me even further,” he said. “I knew I had to train even harder in a bid to convince franchises to invest in me. I couldn’t leave any holes in my fitness regime or give the franchises any reason to not pick me.”

That hard work paid off though and Irfan was picked up by new franchise Multan Sultans.

“Being picked by Multan was like a dream come true,” said Irfan. “Multan is my hometown so representing it would feel great.”

Irfan had the luxury of working with the legendary Wasim Akram at Islamabad United and is understandably pleased at the chance of working with him again, with the former left-armer joining Multan as well.

“Wasim helped me improve my bowling when I was with Islamabad,” he said. “Now he is here as well so that is a great bonus for me. I am playing in the National T20 right now and I am quite optimistic that I can return to the national team if I can continue performing.”