Mohammad Irfan Jr with Australian players (Source:@sohailimrangeo,x.com)
In a significant development, fast bowler Mohammad Irfan Jr has been suspended for five matches by Cricket Victoria after being found guilty of ball tampering during a Victorian Premier Cricket match in Australia.
It is important to mention that the pacer was accused of deliberately altering the condition of the ball during a match between the Casey South Melbourne Swans and Melbourne at Casey Fields.
Mohammad Irfan Jr handed five-match ban in Australia
According to media reports, umpires alleged that Irfan Jr rubbed the ball on the boundary in an improper manner during the first hour of play on the second day of the match. The on-field umpires reported the incident, leading to a formal investigation. The case was later reviewed, finding Irfan Jr guilty of a Level 3 offence under Cricket Victoria’s Code of Conduct. As a result, he has been banned for five matches.
Despite pleading not guilty, the report confirmed the penalty. Darren Anderson, Operations Manager for Victorian Premier Cricket, confirmed the suspension.
It is worth mentioning that Irfan Jr joined the Swans this season on a two-year contract. Before that, he represented the Western Suburbs District Cricket Club in Sydney and had previously played for Pakistan A in the national setup. The fast bowler had featured in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) between 2017 and 2019. He has represented Lahore Qalandars, Karachi Kings, and Quetta Gladiators. However, he has not been part of the league since 2019.
Taking a look at his PSL stats, he has played in 21 matches and taken 22 wickets at an average of 26.77 and an economy of 9.34. Overall, the pacer has played 22 FC matches and taken 80 wickets at an average of 23.65 and an economy of 2.73.
Earlier, he played for Pakistan A, but after being overlooked, he moved to Australia, where he plays in local leagues and domestic competitions.
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