September 08, 2007	Saturday	Sha'aban 25, 1428

LAHORE, Sept 7: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), while overruling the team manager’s recommendation of banning the controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar for five One-day International matches, has instead decided to impose a ban on him for an indefinite period.

Shoaib, who was called back from South Africa, is expected to reach Lahore on Saturday, after which he will address a press conference here.

PCB Chief Operating Officer Shafqat Naghmi informed Dawn of the latest developments according to which the PCB has banned Shoaib indefinitely, until the disciplinary committee comes up with its final verdict.

“At the moment I cannot say when we will be able to hold the inquiry but till a final verdict can be reached, Shoaib will remain suspended,” he said.

It is said that Talat had sent a written report to the PCB Chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf about the incident while making the recommendation that Shaoib be banned from five One-day matches but taking the matter as a very serious one, the chairman decided to put a ban on the bowler for an indefinite period.

Meanwhile, sources told Dawn that the PCB is likely to form an independent disciplinary committee to hear the case. The last time the PCB appointed such a committee, it was to listen to Shoaib Akhtar’s case on missing training camp in Karachi on Aug 4 without his team manager’s permission.

Sources said Shoaib, who appeared before the team manager Talat Ali Malik after hitting Asif, alleged that all-rounder Shahid Afridi had also played a role in the brawl. He also added that Asif had been hurling abuses at him. There are reports that Asif was caught by Shoaib Akhtar when alone in the bathroom of the dressing room, where he was beaten up badly by Shoaib.