Court ask PCB to file reply to Afridi's petition on NOC

The Sindh High Court on Thursday asked the Pakistan Cricket Board to file a reply to sacked skipper Shahid Afridi's petition, seeking grant of an NOC to play for English County side Hampshire. Afridi had sought a court direction to PCB for getting a no-objection certificate but the court said it can 

the disciplinary proceedings initiated against him by the board until June 16.

"We are now thinking about filing for damages for the loss of income of our client which is due to his being denied NOC to play for Hampshire," Ali Zafar, lawyer for Afridi, said.

Tafazzul Rizvi the PCB legal advisor told media that the court has made it clear they could not order the PCB to issue NOCs at this stage.

"We asked the court for time to file our detailed reply to the petition filed by Afridi and the court has said we should do it by June 16. We pointed out to the court that it had no jurisdiction to accept any petition in this case as Afridi had legally signed a central contract with the board under which disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against him," Rizvi said. Afridi, who is facing disciplinary action from the Board for unilaterally announcing his retirement and than making disparaging remarks about the Board and its officials, has challenged the constitution of the disciplinary committee and its proceedings.

Rizvi said all action against the former captain was according to the law and a procedure that Afridi had accepted in 2010 and appeared before the disciplinary committee of the board last year after the Australian tour.

SHAHID AFRIDI RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM COUNTRY’S TOP POLITICIAN NAWAZ SHARIF

The former One Day skipper of Pakistan, Shahid Afridi, after mass support from the people of Pakistan, has also received commendation from the country’s top politician, Nawaz Sharif.

Sharif, who is a staunch follower of the game, praised Afridi’s contributions towards the national team and insisted that the whole nation was behind the player.

“Afridi made great contributions in the world cup, he hoisted Pakistan’s flag on Indian soil and the Pakistan Cricket Board should respect him.” He said while talking to journalists at the Bagh-e-Jinnah, Lahore.

The Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) appreciated the way the 31-year-old all-rounder had led the national team against all odds in the ICC world cup 2011.

Sharif insisted that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should not forget that Afridi played a vital role with the ball, helping his team reach the semi-final of the mega event.

Afridi reached Pakistan on Sunday amidst huge support from the Pakistani public as well as some media persons and politicians.

Last week, the PCB revoked Afridi’s NOC to punish the player for his outburst against the board members and the chairman of the PCB, Ijaz Butt.

However, Afridi has reiterated that after his retirement from International cricket, it is unjustified on behalf of the PCB to revoke his NOC. The player needs to earn a living by playing domestic cricket at home and abroad.

The debacle took off when Afridi openly criticized the team management for meddling in team selection during the Caribbean tour, after which he was sacked by the PCB and replaced by Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq.

Later, Afridi bid farewell to international cricket and accused the Pakistan Cricket Board for disrespecting him, despite his contributions to cricket in the country.

Appointing a legal counsil, Afridi also filed a legal notice in the Sindh High Court against the punishments imposed on him by the PCB.

The PCB’s disciplinary committee had summoned Afridi today, June 8, however, according to his legal counsel, the Board has not followed the law of the country in this case.

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