23 December 2004	Thursday	10 Ziqa'ad 1425

LAHORE, Dec 22: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to reduce former Test captain and wicket-keeper Rashid Latif's six-month penalty to one month and waived off the cash penalty of Rs 15,000 , claiming the decision has been taken on an appeal by the cricketer.

The PCB imposed the ban along with a fine of Rs 15,000 on Rashid for refusing to continue a Quaid-i-Azam Trophy match against Faisalabad at Iqbal Stadium on Nov 27, as captain of the Karachi Blues team, alleging the wicket was not suitable for play.

Following the incident, PCB chairman Shaharyar M. Khan took an immediate decision of punishing Rashid without referring the case to the disciplinary committee. "Rashid Latif appealed against the penalty imposed on him stating that proper procedures had not been followed in the subsequent inquiry.

"Rashid said he had publicly regretted the incident of the match and explained his reasons for abandoning the match," a PCB spokesman quoted Rashid, who met the PCB chairman at Karachi on Dec 11.

"PCB has decided to rescue the penalty to one month's suspension from first class cricket from the date of the incident," the decision stated. PCB reiterates that Rashid would be eligible for selection at all levels after one month suspension.

REUTERS ADDS: "I am happy and hope that the reduction of the ban would help me resurrect my international career," Rashid said.