Mohammad Irfan banned for a year on charges of bookie link in PSL

The recently concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL) may have successfully hosted the finals in Lahore without much of a trouble, but right after the first match of the second edition of the tournament, the news of two cricketers being suspended on charges of spot-fixing shocked the country. Eventually, the number rose to five and among the prominent names is fast bowler Mohammad Irfan.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has now made the judgment of banning Irfan for a year and has been fined $1,000 after he admitted that he was involved in the unethical practice and didn’t report to the PCB’s Anit-Corruption Unit (ACU) or the police about the approaches by bookmakers, cricket authorities said on Wednesday.

It was also revealed that Irfan was not in the proper frame of mind to inform the concerned officials about the advances made by the bookies due to the untimely demise of his parents. The 34-year-old said he was under mental stress.

“I accept my mistake,” he told a press conference at the Pakistan Cricket Board’s headquarters in Lahore. “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 say sorry to the fans.”

Head of the PCB’s Anti-Corruption Unit, Mohammad Azam, said that the player’s admission meant he will not have to appear before a three-member tribunal which will hear the cases of four other players involved in the scandal.

Nasir Jamshed, Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, and Shahzaib Hasan have all been ensnared in the black incident which has marred the image of what is becoming a globally famous T20 tournament.

Azam also added that Irfan would be eligible to return from his ban six months early if he attends lectures on the significance of anti-corruption laws.

Mohammad Irfan has so far played four Tests and 20 Twenty20 internationals for his country. But with a tainted reputation to his name now, a quick return after his ban gets over seems unlikely.