April 02, 2008	Wednesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 24, 1429

KARACHI, April 1: Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was banned for five years by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday for repeated disciplinary violations.

Board chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf told a news conference the suspension was imposed on the recommendation of the PCB disciplinary committee and the paceman had the right to lodge an appeal.

“He can’t play for Pakistan or anywhere in Pakistan. But he can play in the Indian Premier League, which is not in our jurisdiction,” said Mr Ashraf.

Akhtar had criticised the PCB for dual standards on awarding central contracts in January this year.

Akhtar was dropped from Pakistan’s list of 15 contracted players in January after the paceman had another disappointing year, plagued by injuries and discipline problems.Leg spinner Danish Kaneria, who like Akhtar criticised board policies when the new central contracts were announced in January, was warned and reprimanded.

Akhtar was dropped from the list of contracts while Kaneria was demoted.

Tuesday’s announcement came after the two players appeared before the disciplinary committee in Rawalpindi.

“He (Akhtar) was already under a two-year probation period from last year,” said Mr Ashraf. “He committed repeated offences of indiscipline from 2004 to 2008, around 15 in total.

“We gave him lots of chances in the past, but he reached a stage where he had become damaging for himself and Pakistan cricket and a habitual offender.

“The board has lost confidence in Shoaib Akhtar.”—Reuters

Full report, reaction on Page 26