The PCB resisted imposing a lifetime ban due to Afridi's "admission of guilt, expression of remorse, past track record" and a plea that he unintentionally broke the rules
The Pakistan Cricket Board have banned Asif Afridi for two years after finding him guilty of two separate breaches of their anti-corruption code.
Though the exact details of the incidents have not been disclosed, the 36-year-old will be prohibited from playing until September 12, 2024.
Afridi was handed two separate suspensions lasting two years and six months, which will run concurrently, for the offences which are understood to have taken place during the Pakistan Cup in 2022.
The PCB had a lifetime ban available to them but having taken into consideration his guilt, remorse, past track record and plea that he broke the rule unintentionally, the governing body showed discretion.
Afridi in PSL action in February 2022 (ARIF ALI/AFP via Getty Images)
He was found to have been in breach of Article 2.4.4 relating to "failing to disclose to the PCB Security and Anti-Corruption Department (without unnecessary delay) full details of any approaches or invitations received by the [articipant to engage in corrupt conduct under this anti-corruption code."
In addition, Afridi was also guilty of Article 2.4.10 which references "directly or indirectly soliciting, inducing, enticing, persuading, encouraging or intentionally facilitating any participant to breach any of the foregoing provisions of this Article 2.4."
Though the left-arm spinner has never played international cricket he was part of both white-ball squads for the series against Australia in 2022. His last competitive appearance came in the National T20 Cup for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa last August.
PCB chair Najam Sethi (ARIF ALI/AFP via Getty Images)
"It gives the PCB no joy to suspend an international cricketer for two years, but we have a zero-tolerance approach towards such offences," said PCB chair Najam Sethi.
"As the game's governing body, we need to make examples, handle such matters robustly and send out strong messages to all cricketers.
"It is bitter fact that corruption poses a threat to our sport as selfish corrupters lure cricketers in different ways and methods.
"That's precisely why the PCB has been investing heavily in player education so that they remain vigilant and can help the PCB eradicate this menace by reporting approaches and if despite all our best efforts to create awareness, a player falls victim to his greed, then the PCB has no sympathy."
Subscribe to The Cricketer for exclusive content every day: The inside track on England's Test tour with George Dobell in Pakistan, award-winning analysis, breaking news and interviews and the only place for in-depth county coverage all year round. Plus: An ad-free app experience at your fingertips. Subscribe to thecricketer.com today for just £1.
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.