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| November 22, 2005 | Tuesday | Shawwal 19, 1426 |
Afridi banned for one Test, two ODIs: Pitch scuffing
FAISALABAD, Nov 21: Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi has been banned for one Test and two One-day Internationals for altering the pitch condition during the second Test against England, it was announced on Monday The 25-year-old was found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute by twisting his spikes on the ground during the second day’s play, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said.
Match referee Roshan Mahanama of Sri Lanka, who conducted a hearing after the day’s play, found Afridi had violated the ICC code of conduct.
The hearing was also attended by Pakistan captain Inzamamul Haq and coach Bob Woolmer.
The hearing was called by Mahanama after his attention was drawn to TV footage of Afridi scuffing the pitch.
Mahanama declined to divulge the outcome of the hearing but insiders said he had recommended the punishment for a level-three offence.
England opener Marcus Trescothick drew the attention of umpires Simon Taufel and Darrell Hair to the marks made on the pitch while England were batting after tea.
Attention had been diverted after a gas cylinder explosion held up play for nine minutes.
Trescothick said: “The marks are on a good length and it is up to people to judge how they might have been caused. I think most people have seen it on camera. Make your own assumption.”
Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was fined 50 per cent of his match fee by the match referee for using a sponsor’s logo on his gloves, also a violation of the code of conduct.—Agencies
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