LAHORE, May 11: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday imposed a fine on Test opener Imran Farhat of 50 per cent of his match-fee and put him on probation for six-months after he was found guilty of misbehaving with the selection committee.

The match fee will be deducted from the next game that he plays for Pakistan.

Imran on Monday had made a nasty telephone call to chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed, arguing his exclusion from the Pakistan team that was announced for the three-match series in Abu Dhabi.

Imran, had said that since he was the top scorer of the domestic season he deserved a place ahead of Salman Butt and Imran Nazir.

The chief selector had replied that it was his prerogative to select the team and no cricketer had the authority to ask such questions. Salahuddin later made a written complaint against Imran and his father-in-law Mohammad Ilyas to the PCB chairman.

Imran was called up by the Director Cricket Operations (DCO) Zakir Khan to explain his point of view on Thursday. He had also submitted a written apology to Zakir during the meeting.

On Friday, Zakir held a long meeting with the PCB chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf and discussed the entire situation before announcing the decision.

The PCB, however, did not take any action against Mohammad Ilyas for threatening the selectors at the PCB offices over his son-in-law’s axing from the national side.

The PCB press release on Imran Farhat decision said: "The board provided a fair chance of clarification to Imran Farhat after the matter was brought to its notice.

However, after the complete review of the matter, the board has sanctioned Imran Farhat with 50% of his match-fee for the first match that he will play for Pakistan.

“ Furthermore, Imran will also be on six-months probation in which he will be constantly monitored for his behavior and attitude. The punishment has been kept lenient considering the facts that this was Imran’s first offence for which he also submitted a written apology to the board."

"This further strengthens PCB's stance to have no compromise in disciplinary matters,” the press release concluded.