Islamabad: Pakistan's maverick fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been banned from international and domestic cricket for five years for repeated violations of discipline.
The announcement was made by Board chairman Nasim Ashraf.
Akhtar appeared before a disciplinary committee earlier on Tuesday after he criticised the cricket board for not awarding him one of the top contracts to play for the national team.
Ashraf said Akhtar could appeal the decision.
The decision does not prevent Akhtar from playing in the Indian Premier League.
Last year, the Rawalpindi express was banned for 13 matches for hitting fellow team mate Mohammad Asif with a bat.
Chronology: The Shoaib saga
Sept. 1997: Dropped from Pakistan one-day squad for a series in Toronto on the basis of tour manager's report of an earlier visit to England by the A team.
Dec. 1999: Banned for illegal bowling action.
Feb. 2000: Banned for a Test and fined Rs50,000 ($1,800) after breaching players' code of conduct on tour of Australia.
Jan. 2001: Banned for illegal bowling action for a second time.
Nov. 2002: Fined 50 per cent of match fee, banned for one one-day International for throwing a bottle into crowd during a test in Zimbabwe.
May 2003: Banned for two ODIs and fined 75 per cent of match fee for ball tampering during a tri-series match in Sri Lanka.
Oct. 2003: Banned for one Test and two ODIs for using obscene and offensive language towards South African Paul Adams in Lahore Test.
Oct. 2006: Banned for two years for testing positive for nandrolone. Ban lifted on appeal two months later.
Aug. 2007: Fined $5,000 for leaving training camp without permission. Fine suspended on appeal.
Oct. 2007: Banned for 13 international matches and fined Rs3.4 million ($120,300) for four breaches of discipline including striking teammate Mohammad Asif with a bat.
April 2008: Banned for five years by PCB for violating code of conduct.
Have your say
What do you think about the Pakistan Cricket Board's decision to ban Akhtar?
Your comments
It's very unfortunate for Pakistani cricket and this guy, who is always surrounded by controversy because of his behaviour and lack of respect for discipline codes and values.
Aman
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 02, 2008, 10:44
This is the failure of the PCB and Shoaib is the only victim of it. He is the only hero left in Pakistani cricket. PCB is playing with him and his career rather than giving him the bit of respect he deserves. This is a reflection of the PCB's management failure.
Faisal
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 02, 2008, 09:57
That's a very harsh decision. Naseem Ashraf used to take these kind of decisions. Shoaib is a star, and he must come back.
Rabbi
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 02, 2008, 09:14
I totally agree with the PCB decision, as we have seen that Akhtar breached discipline so many times.
Asad
Karachi,Pakistan
Posted: April 02, 2008, 09:14
It is very sad to lose a player like Shoaib Akhtar but I think he forced the management to take that decision. He was given many chances but he never learnt from his mistake. The board decision is right but a five year ban is too long for a player of that calibre. Can his ban be reduced to one year?
Shaida
Al Ain,UAE
Posted: April 02, 2008, 09:01
A belated decision but the right decision.
Noor
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 02, 2008, 08:25
This is totally unfair and a very, very poor decision. There are lots of issues within the Cricket Board and if someone pinpointed those issues then they can blame the players who put up their lives for the nation.
Adeel
Lahore,Pakistan
Posted: April 02, 2008, 08:25
This decision is very right and Akhtar truly deserves this for his continuously rude and arrogant behaviour. In fact, he is defaming the brand name of the Pakistani Cricket Team.
Majid
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 02, 2008, 08:05
This is nothing new. It has happened in the past when Sarfaraz Nawaz and Imran Khan used to play. They were also doing similar things. They should punish him in a way that does not harm the national team.
Iqbal
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 02, 2008, 08:00
The Pakistan Cricket Board's decision is not a good decision. He should have been totally banned from one-day internationals.
Syed
Hyderabad,India
Posted: April 02, 2008, 07:12
I think the Pakistan Cricket Board has taken the right step. Shoaib must be banned for ever, not for five years.
Farooq
Karachi,Pakistan
Posted: April 02, 2008, 00:47
I think it is unfair and the decision was made in a hurry. Since the last few months, the Pakistani cricket team have had no international matches to play. The Australian Cricket Board refused to play in Pakistan, this all happened due to poor management from the PCB. Instead of putting a ban on players, the PCB chairman should send his resignation to the president of Pakistan to restore freedom of opinion in the Cricket Board.
Khurshid
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 02, 2008, 00:31
It's the best decision. I think he should be banned for life.
Dawod
Karachi,Pakistan
Posted: April 02, 2008, 00:08
This is good news for the cricket world. Akhtar is not a real sportsman.
Yahya
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 02, 2008, 00:05
