HYDERABAD, May 7 There seems to be no end to controversies surrounding Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik.

The former captain was on Friday banned from entering into Gymkhana Cricket Ground by the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA). The HCA joint secretary DS Chalapathi confirmed on Friday that Malik, who has been banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board for one year, is barred from entering Gymkhana.

“Yes, we have asked Gymkahana staff not to allow him to practice because he is serving a ban from the PCB,” Chalapathi said. The HCA ban is in line with the policy of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) not to allow any banned player on official grounds.

The officials pointed out that all International Cricket Council (ICC) members were bound by the rules on banned players.

Earlier, Malik practised at the Gymkhana ground along with Hyderabad cricketers on Tuesday and Wednesday. He was accompanied by his wife, Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, her father Imran Mirza and former Andhra Cricket Association secretary V Chamundeswarinath.

“He is not coming to Gymkhana since Thursday,” Chalapathi said. “I heard that he had come there for practice earlier.”

The HCA move to ban Malik's entry into Gymkhana came after criticism from various quarters for allowing him to play. Some local players pointed out that even former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin was not allowed to practice at the grounds after he was banned by BCCI.

Similarly, eight Indian Cricket League (ICL) players were also not allowed to practice after they were banned by the national cricketing association.—Agencies