Pakistani paceman Shoaib Akhtar has been banned for two one- dayers for tampering with the ball during a triangular one-day series here, match-referee Gundappa Viswanath announced on Wednesday.
Akhtar was also fined 75% of his match-fee, said Viswanath. The fast bowler was charged with changing the condition of the ball during the last league match of the ongoing tri-series against New Zealand here on Tuesday.
Akhtar grabbed three wickets late in the New Zealand innings to help his team win the game by 22 runs. The match-referee’s verdict means that Akhtar will miss Friday’s final against New Zealand here and the opening game of his team’s three-match series in England in June.
The news-making Akhtar, whose career has been dogged with suspect bowling action, injuries and disciplinary problems, is only the world’s second bowler after compatriot Waqar Younis to be suspended for tampering with the ball.
Younis served a one-match ban during a triangular one-day series, also involving South Africa and Sri Lanka, at Colombo in 2000.
Akhtar, who twice broke the 100mph-barrier (160km), has so far bagged 140 wickets in 85 one-day internationals since making his debut against Zimbabwe in 1997-98.
Viswanath, a former India batsman, said Akhtar was charged with breaching the International Cricket Ccouncil (ICC) Code of Conduct by on-field umpires Daryl Harper (Australia) and Peter Manuel (Sri Lanka) along with the third-umpire Gamini Silva (Sri Lanka).
”He was charged with breaching Level 2,10 of the ICC Code of Conduct for players in that he interfered with the surface of the ball, taking action which is likely to alter the condition of the ball,” said Viswanath.
”Tampering with the ball is contrary to the laws and the spirit of the cricket,” Viswanath added.
”It is unfair to attempt to gain any advantage by altering the condition of the ball. I consider this offence to be of a serious nature and the penalty imposed reflects this view.”
The disciplinary hearing was attended by Akhtar, Pakistani captain Rashid Latif, manager Haroon Rashid, the umpires and the match-referee.
”Evidence was heard from Akhtar concerning the appropriate penalty to be imposed and the player’s previous disciplinary record was taken into account,” the statement added.
Akhtar had already served a one-match suspension for throwing a plastic bottle at spectators during a one-day match in Zimbabwe before the recent World Cup.
He was also warned by his country’s cricket chief Tauqir Zia that the Sri Lankan tri-series was his last chance to revive his career.
”Shoaib is his own worst enemy and this is his last chance to revive his career,” said Zia.
Akhtar responded to criticism in style as he bowled with fire in all the four matches in Sri Lanka, grabbing seven wickets.
Pakistani manager Haroon Rashid said his team would feel Akhtar’s absence in the final, but would definitely try to put in an impressive performance.
”Disappointment is natural,” Rashid said after the verdict.
”As far as the final is concerned, we’ve come here with 15 players and will enter the field with a positive frame of mind. It was a fair hearing and we accept the match-referee’s decision.” – Sapa-AFP