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Akhtar faces life ban
31/03/2008 14:42 - (SA)
Karachi - Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is set to face charges of violating a code of conduct at a disciplinary committee hearing on Tuesday, which may result in a life ban.
The charges were laid after the controversial paceman criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for double standards in awarding the central contracts in January this year.
The 32-year-old Akhtar is on two-years probation and if found guilty of violating the PCB code, could face a life ban.
"I can confirm that the hearing will be conducted in Rawaplindi on April 1," head of the five-man committee, retired Lieutenant General Muneer Hafeez said, without elaborating.
Akhtar also confirmed he would appear before the committee to present his case.
Local media have speculated that Akhtar will be let off with a fine or reprimand.
In October last year, Akhtar was fined 3.4 million rupees and banned for 13 matches for hitting fellow paceman Mohammad Asif with a bat, just days before the start of the Twenty20 World Championships.
He was put on probation for two years following the incident.
Akhtar was dropped from Pakistan's list of 15 contracted players in January after the paceman had another disappointing year, plagued by injures and discipline problems.
Instead, Akhtar was offered a special retainer deal, which he refused to sign.
Akhtar played the last of his 46 Tests against India at Bangalore in December 2007, breaking down due to back trouble.
He was blamed for Pakistan's 1-0 series loss to the archrivals and was not played in the team's one-day series against Zimbabwe in February this year.
Akhtar was also left out of a 16-man squad announced for next month's first two one-day internationals against Bangladesh.
- AFP
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