Irfan breached the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Code
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Hong Kong batsman Irfan Ahmed has been charged and provisionally suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching their Anti-Corruption Code.
According to reports, Ahmed was approached by Pakistani cricketer Nasem Gulzar, who allegedly paid former New Zealand batsman Lou Vincent to deliberately underperform in county matches in England.
As of now, Ahmed has been charged with breaching Article 2.4.2 of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code, which relates to “failing to disclose to the ACSU (without undue delay) full details of any approaches or invitations received by the Participant to engage in conduct that would amount to a breach of the Anti-Corruption Code.”
The ICC have refused to say anything about the case, with an ICC spokesman telling ESPNcricinfo: “In accordance with the terms of the Code, a disciplinary process is currently underway and the ICC is not able to make any further comment on the matter pending the outcome of the disciplinary process.”
Hong Kong Cricket Association CEO Tim Cutler added: “We are firmly committed to upholding the integrity of our sport and we fully support the ICC’s broadened concern around this grave threat to the soul of cricket. We must always put player welfare at the centre of our concerns and no matter what, there is a young man here who needs to be our immediate concern and we will be there for any support we can offer.”
Ahmed has hired Hong Kong-based barrister Kevin Egan to defend him as he could be banned for two to five years if he is found guilty.
Speaking about the charges against the 26-year-old, Egan said: “(Gulzar) was like a father figure to him and (Ahmed) was approached with a corrupt offer which he rejected. But the only criminality alleged against him by the ICC was simply having failed to report that approach.
“At the moment we’re in negotiations with the ICC and those negotiations have not yet concluded. I expect that within the next couple of weeks we will have come to a conclusion.”