Saturday, June 18, 2011

AFRIDI CLEARED FOR HAMPSHIRE DUTY

                                                     Afridi - can play for Hampshire.

Shahid Afridi has been cleared to play for Hampshire in their Friends Life t20 title defence.
The all-rounder has missed the Royals' opening seven matches of the competition after the Pakistan Cricket Board revoked a No Objection Certificate to prevent him from taking his place.
That decision was made in retaliation to the PCB's feud with Afridi, but with tensions between the parties simmering following a meeting this week, the PCB have re-issued the NOC.
                                                         Afridi, who is currently in Pakistan after meeting PCB officials, will fly back to England this week before making his debut at Essex on Thursday.

"Hampshire Cricket is delighted to confirm that the club has received a formal No Objection Certificate (NOC) which allows Friends Life t20 overseas signing Shahid Afridi to take part in the rest of the tournament," a statement from the Royals read."

"The Pakistani all-rounder will be available for the Royals' t20 clash at Chelmsford against the Essex Eagles on Thursday 23 June.

"Afridi was due to play in the whole competition for the Royals but had to withdraw following an alleged breach of the Pakistan Cricket Board's code of conduct."

Afridi faced a disciplinary hearing this week after he conditionally retired from international duty and publicly criticised the PCB following his axing as limited-overs skipper.

That prompted the PCB to withhold the NOC and leave Hampshire out in the cold.

The first steps towards a resolution were, however, made following a meeting between Afridi and PCB chairman Ijaz Butt on Wednesday after which the all-rounder agreed to drop a court case against the governing body.

The re-issuing of Afridi's NOC was reportedly the bargaining chip in that agreement.

source

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