PCB to allow Afridi to play in national T20 meet

Karachi (PTI): The Pakistan Cricket Board will not stop suspended all-rounder Shahid Afridi from taking part in the national Twenty20 championship, scheduled to be held in Faisalabad from June 24.

A well-placed source in the board said that as of now far it has been decided to allow Afridi to lead the Karachi Dolphins side in the tournament despite the ongoing disciplinary process against him.

“Since it is a domestic tournament and the matter between him and the board is now in court it is felt it is better he is allowed to captain the Karachi side in the event,” a source said.

The Karachi City Cricket Association has also written to the board, seeking written clearance to allow Afridi to lead their team in the tournament.

The national T20 meet is one of the most popular domestic event in Pakistan as it is televised live and also attracts huge crowds.

This is the first time it is being held in Faisalabad - all previous editions have been organised either in Karachi or Lahore.

Subhan Ahmed, the chief operating officer of the board, declined to comment on the issue of whether Afridi is eligible to play in the domestic event.

“Right now we don’t see any problem in him playing in domestic cricket but we don’t want to comment as the matter is in court,” he said.

Afridi went to the High Court and got a stay order against the board’s disciplinary process against him that included suspension of his central contract and revoking his NOC’s to play in foreign leagues.