DAMBULLA (Sri Lanka), May 21: Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar has been banned for two one-dayers for tampering with the ball during the triangular one-day series here, match referee Gundappa Viswanath announced on Wednesday.

Shoaib was also fined 75 per cent of his match-fee, said Viswanath.

The fast bowler was charged with changing the condition of the ball during the last league match of the ongoing tri-series against New Zealand here on Tuesday.

Shoaib grabbed three wickets late in the New Zealand innings to help his team win the game by 22 runs.

The match referee’s verdict means that Shoaib will miss Friday’s final against New Zealand here and the opening game of his team’s three-match series in England in June.

The news-making Shoaib, whose career has been dogged with suspect bowling action, injuries and disciplinary problems, is only the world’s second bowler after compatriot Waqar Younis to be suspended for tampering with the ball.

Waqar was suspended for one match and fined 50 per cent of his match fee by New Zealand’s John Reid during the tri-series in Colombo in July 2000 which also involved South Africa.

Shoaib, who twice broke the 100mph-barrier, has so far bagged 140 wickets in 85 One-day Internationals since making his debut against Zimbabwe in 1997-98.

Viswanath, a former India batsman, said Shoaib was charged with breaching the ICC Code of Conduct by on-field umpires Daryl Harper (Australia) and Peter Manuel (Sri Lanka) along with the TV umpire Gamini Silva (Sri Lanka).

“He was charged with breaching Level 2.10 of the ICC Code of Conduct for players in that he interfered with the surface of the ball, taking action which is likely to alter the condition of the ball,” said Viswanath.

“Tampering with the ball is contrary to the laws and the spirit of the cricket,” Viswanath said in a statement.

“It is unfair to attempt to gain any advantage by altering the condition of the ball. I consider this offence to be of a serious nature and the penalty imposed reflects this view.”

The incident was brought to the attention of third umpire Gamini Silva after television pictures showed close-up shots of Shoaib, who pleaded not guilty, apparently scratching the quarter seam of the ball.

The disciplinary hearing was attended by Shoaib, Pakistani captain Rashid Latif, manager Haroon Rashid, the umpires and the match referee.

“Evidence was heard from Shoaib Akhtar concerning the appropriate penalty to be imposed and the player’s previous disciplinary record was taken into account,” the statement added.

Shoaib had already served a one-match suspension for throwing a plastic bottle at spectators during a one-day match in Zimbabwe before the recent World Cup.

Prior to that incident, Shoaib was also severely reprimanded by match referee Clive Lloyd of the West Indies after Pakistan’s first Test victory in Zimbabwe in November last year.

He was also warned by his country’s cricket chief Tauqir Zia that the Sri Lankan tri-series was his last chance to revive his career.

“Shoaib is his own worst enemy and this is his last chance to revive his career,” said Tauqir.

Shoaib responded to criticism in style as he bowled with fire in all the four matches here, grabbing seven wickets.

Pakistani manager Haroon Rashid said his team would feel Shoaib’s absence in the final, but would definitely try to put in an impressive performance.

“Disappointment is natural,” Haroon said after the verdict.

“As far as the final is concerned, we’ve come here with 15 players and will enter the field with a positive frame of mind. It was a fair hearing and we accept the match referee’s decision.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board said they would not challenge the ban.

“Whatever happened PCB is not going to challenge it and we accept the penalties on Shoaib but will not take any further action against him,” a PCB release said.

“PCB”s chief executive Ramiz Raja is there in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, and he will brief Shoaib on how to behave,” the PCB statement said.

Former Pakistan pacer Sarfraz Nawaz, a legendary exponent of reverse swing, deplored the incident.

“Shoaib was warned before the tour to watch his behaviour and considering that this incident is very disappointing,” Sarfraz said.—AFP