PCB plans action against Afridi

The PCB has responded to Shahid Afridi's retirement by putting together a showcause notice detailing several breaches of the code of conduct, which he will eventually be expected to respond to. A day after Afridi's outburst against the administration on TV, and his decision to not play international cricket under this board, PCB chairman Ijaz Butt said he was "disappointed" by the remarks and that the "retirement" was not an issue at all.

"It was disappointing to hear what he said," Butt told ESPNcricinfo, "and it wasn't correct or true. It was wrong of him to do that. If he doesn't want to play under this administration, then he's welcome. We've detailed several instances where he has breached the code of conduct and will issue a showcause notice to him, which he has seven days to respond to."

Senior board officials spent much of the day in a budget meeting, but the issue of Afridi was a live one throughout. The board has taken legal advice on its options and there has been talk of withdrawing the NOCs given to Afridi for a T20 stint with Hampshire, as well as possibly not issuing him one for participation in the upcoming Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL).

There might also be repercussions on his central contract, in which he is currently in the top 'A' category. The announcement of retirement itself, if not made to the board first, is a breach of the code of conduct. If the contract is suspended, as is the case in retirements, then all the benefits and privileges due to a player are also held in abeyance, which could lead to a withdrawal of the NOCs.

A press release is due to be issued shortly by the board in which the details of the breaches will be made clear as well as what further action may be taken.