Controversial wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Shahzad‘s contract has been suspended for an indefinite period, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said in a statement on Saturday.
The decision was taken after Shahzad, repeatedly breached ACB’s Code of Conduct by travelling out of the country without seeking board’s permission.
“As per ACB’s policies, any player travelling out of the country is required to seek the permission of ACB. Shahzad has not adhered to this, repetitively,” ACB said on its official website.
The board further claimed that Shahzad has been found guilty of not adhering to code of conduct on a previous occasion as well. Before his latest breach, the 32-year-old failed to appear before an ACB Discipline Committee for a matter relating to ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.
“Mohammad Shahzad has also breached the ACB Code of Conduct previously and was recently called for questioning by the ACB Discipline Committee in relation to a disciplinary matter during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Mohammad Shahzad did not attend meetings scheduled with the Discipline Committee on 20th and 25th of the last month. The Discipline Committee will meet after Eid-ul Adha holidays to assess the breaches by Mohammad Shahzad and make a decision to be publicized soon,” the board said.
The latest development comes after Shahzad was sent home midway through the World Cup in England, later alleging that some board members were conspiring against him.
“I still don’t know why I was ruled unfit when I was fit enough to play. Some people in the board have conspired against me. Only manager, doctor and the captain knew that I was going to be replaced. Even the coach (Phil Simmons) found out much later. It was heart-breaking,” Shahzad had said in June.
The decision seems to have been taken after Shahzad, as per ESPNcricinfo, was seen practicing in Peshawar (Pakistan). He’s based out of Pakistan and has been previously warned by ACB to relocate to Afghanistan or his contract will be terminated.
“ACB has well-equipped training and practice facilities within the country and Afghan players do not require to travel abroad for such purposes,” the ACB further said.
