By Omar Khalid
 
Karachi, Jun 3 (IANS): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Thursday formed a three-member disciplinary committee to hear the case of former captain Shahid Afridi, who is facing strict sanctions after his outburst against the Board earlier this week.

Sultan Rana, PCB's director (Domestic Cricket), will head the panel, which includes Shafiq Ahmed (PCB's general manager-Domestic Cricket) and Usman Wahla (manager-International Cricket).

The PCB has summoned Afridi, who is currently in England, to appear before the committee at the Board headquarters in Lahore on June 8.

Afridi, who was hailed as a national hero in March when he almost single-handedly led Pakistan to the World Cup semifinals, finds himself in hot water as the PCB has suspended his central contract and has also revoked all NOCs granted to him, meaning that he cannot feature in English county cricket or any Twenty20 leagues.

Afridi has urged Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari to intervene and help "save Pakistan cricket".

In a media release issued Thursday evening, the PCB said: "The aggrieved party against an order of the Disciplinary Committee may file an appeal. The forum available is the Appellate Tribunal. Under PCB's constitution, PCB maintains an independent panel of arbitrators who are all eminent retired judges of high courts."

"Should an appeal be preferred, an Appellate Tribunal will be formed from amongst the independent panel of arbitrators. Please note that the decision of the Appellate Tribunal shall be final and binding on both parties."

Commenting on the letter sent to Afridi, PCB COO Subhan Ahmad said: "It is painful for us to get involved in a dispute with a cricketer who has been the national team captain until the (just-concluded) West Indies series. There are numerous contributions by Shahid Afridi to Pakistan cricket."

"But I think people need to understand that this is purely a disciplinary issue. As the body managing cricket in the country, we are duty-bound to maintain discipline at all levels. We will ensure that Shahid is given every opportunity to express and defend himself and as such the disciplinary process has been clearly spelt out to avoid any ambiguities," Ahmad added.