Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Irfan has been suspended for a year and fined 1 million rupees ($9,500,00) after failing to disclose two approaches made by bookmakers during this year's Pakistan Super League (PSL), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Wednesday.
The 34-year-old, who played for Islamabad United in the 2017 PSL, admitted the charges levelled against him by the PCB's anti-corruption unit.
The PCB will review the suspension after six months, at which point Irfan's contract may be restored. Over seven feet tall, he has played four Tests, 60 one-day internationals and 20 Twenty20 internationals.
The PCB said last month it was investigating whether an international betting syndicate was trying to influence matches in the PSL.
"You are aware that on March 14 the board called in and suspended me on the basis of two allegations, out of which I accept that it was my fault that I failed to let the board know when bookies approached me," Irfan told reporters on Wednesday.
"I am formally asking the nation for their forgiveness and hope that I will be pardoned by them."
Irfan had earlier been suspended on March 14 after he appeared before the PCB's Anti-Corruption Unit after the PSL final in Lahore.
It is also being reported that Irfan might have reached an agreement with the Board's ACU under which he has shown willingness to share all details off the spot-fixing scandal in the PSL and also point out the players and bookmakers involved in the racket.
But so far neither the Board nor Irfan has commented on these reports.
Irfan, during his meeting with the PCB ACU officials, claimed he was unable to report the approach made to him because he was mentally disturbed after the death of his mother who passed away when he was in Australia.
Irfan also lost his father a few months back.
The PCB has formed a three-member tribunal to hear the case against batsmen Khalid Latif and Sharjeel Khan who have been charged with spot-fixing in the PSL and trying to coax other players into the racket as well.
Irfan, Khalid and Sharjeel all played for Islamabad United in the PSL.
The seven foot tall Irfan made his international debut in 2010 and was the tallest-ever player to grace the game.
He played four Tests and 20 Twenty20 internationals along with 60 one-day internationals, where he has taken 83 wickets at an average of 30.71.
Pakistan were involved in spot-fixing case in 2010 when three players - Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt -- were suspended and later jailed for their part in incidents during a Test match against England at Lord's.
All three are now playing competitively again, with Amir part of the Karachi Kings' squad for this season's PSL.
($1 = 104.8100 Pakistani rupees)
Image: Mohammad Irfan
Photograph: BCCI
