Akhtar faces life ban: Sources

Agencies

Posted online: Thursday, February 14, 2008 at 1917 hrs IST

Karachi, February 14:
Controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar faces a life ban following his latest outburst which evoked anger among top officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board.

“This time he has gone too far. We had already issued a notice to him to explain his earlier statements against the policies of the Board. Now he will face more punitive action,” a senior PCB official told PTI on condition of anonymity.

He made it clear that in the next few days, the Board will decide on banning Akhtar from the ongoing Pentangular Cup.

Akhtar had described the tournament as Grade ‘B’ cricket and lashed out at the Board for providing dead Kookaburra balls and a flat pitch for the Federal Areas match against Punjab.

The official said Akhtar was already under a one-year probation period during which, if he indulged in any misconduct, he could face an automatic life ban.

“Even if he is not contracted to us, there are certain playing conditions for the Pentangular Cup and also in the Board constitution which don’t permit players to make such controversial and wrong statements,” the official explained.