PCB panel upholds Akhtar ban; BCCI says can`t play in IPL
01 May, 2008
|
| LAHORE: National cricket team ace fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar arrives for a hearing at Cricket Academy. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LAHORE: Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar on Wednesday was found guilty on all charges by the disciplinary committee and PCB’s decision to ban him from playing cricket for the national side for 5 years was upheld.
This came in after the committee heard his plea and kept in mind the public apology tendered by the fiery speedster. The ban puts the 32 year old pacer’s comeback in the national side after the term ends, in deep waters.
Meanwhile, the BCCI have said that there is no change in their stance towards the maverick fast bowler and that Shoaib will not be allowed to play in the Indian Premier League.
Earlier, a PCB disciplinary committee investigating the Akhtar case said that Shoaib’s apology was a crucial factor that fetched him the opportunity to play in other matches except for those for Pakistan’s national team.
Justice (retd) Aftab Farrukh, heading the appellate tribunal, said the ban stayed because Shoaib did not try to reform himself.
"Basically he has not tried to reform himself and has continued to violate discipline. That is the view of the tribunal so the ban stays," told reporters in Lahore.
"This is also the order of the disciplinary committee of the board that he can`t play for or anywhere in Pakistan domestically or internationally. But there is no bar on him playing anywhere else in the world," Farrukh added.
Farrukh said the tribunal had taken this decision in view of the unconditional apology submitted by Shoaib on Monday to the nation, his team and the board for his actions and deeds.
Akhtar’s realisation of his mistakes finally got him the ticket to play in the cash rich Indian Premier League (IPL) for Kolkata Knight Riders.
Shoaib Akhtar, the world’s fastest bowler, was slapped with a five-year ban for violating the players’ code of conduct earlier this month.
However leg spinner Danish Kaneria facing similar charges was let off after a warning.
The ban on speedster affected his chances of playing in the IPL. PCB chairman however, had clarified that the ban would not affect his chances of playing outside country.
Akhtar and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria were asked to appear before the disciplinary committee to respond to the charges of speaking out against the policies of the board and other violations of the code.
The board had authorized the disciplinary committee to clear or penalize the two players.
In the new central contracts given out to the players, the penalties for speaking out against the policies of the board include a fine of Rs 1- 10 crore, three penalty points in the contract and even a ban of one to seven matches.
Akhtar, however, had not been given a new central contract, but instead offered a special retainer which he had refused to accept.
End.
|
