Pakistan’s fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar faces a possible ban if he is found guilty of ball-tampering during the sixth match of the Bank Alfalah Cup in Sri Lanka. Shoaib was hauled before the match referee, Gundappa Viswanath, on Tuesday night after television footage during Pakistan’s 22-run win over New Zealand at Dambulla today suggested that he was trying to alter the condition of the ball.
Viswanath requested TV evidence after the match, and held an hourlong hearing with match officials and the Pakistan team management. “The umpires advised me to view television clippings, believing that the condition of the ball may have been changed,” said Viswanath. “I will make my decision tomorrow.” That decision is expected at 1230 local time (0630 GMT) tomorrow.
The incident was brought to the attention of the third umpire, Gamini Silva, after the TV broadcaster showed close-up shots of Shoaib apparently scratching the quarter-seam of the ball. If found guilty of breaking Law 42.3, which refers to changing the condition of the match ball, he will be face a minimum four-match ban, as this would be his second offence inside the last 12 months.
I remember in the past some South African bowler got off by saying that he was only cleaning the dirt from the seam. I take it that this excuse isn’t acceptable any more?
Anyway, these guys need to learn that it’s not necessary. It made my day when the umpires changed the ball and Shoaib and Sami balsted out the sorry-ass kiwi batsmen with the change ball :k:
Firstly welldone to our pakistani team for such a good performance.
So shoaib accused again, The bowlers have to learn that the cameras these days can follow their every movement. Nothing can be hidden anymore. I just hope he gets away with it.
Its always us that get the blame for ball tampering.
yeah ICC has double standards for white and non white cricketers, but that does mean that our guys are angles and they do not do what they are accused of!!!
in todays game, the umpairs checked the condition of the ball, questioned shoaib and then replace it. but what happen next is that shoaib took the ball and on his back to his run mark, he AGAIN SCRATCHED THE BALL.
Our guys have to realize that now the coverage of cricket is not same as it used to be 20 or even 6-8 years ago( and they are not the only ones who know about reverse swing) so things like that can be spotted quickly. It was on this case and looks like Shoaib is going to have to pay for it, since he was involved in a similar incident on the last years Zimb's tour it is his second offance in 12 months so he is likely to be suspended for next 4-8 games.
Yeah i was about to post that, akhter was realy caught red handed!!
and right after, when he has been questioned!!!!!!! I Mean what the heck was he trying to prove.
i seriously believe that akhter has some Psychological problem or somthin, he realy likes challinging authorities. somehow i think it makes him feel good about himself or something. He believes that since he is the fastest man on this planet(which i dont completely agree with, boy am i not going to be in trouble for saying this at this forum!!), he has a right to do everything that he wants, and the way he wants. one can realy feel that from his TV and other media interviews.
He is caught red handed and there was no doubt he was scratching, I believe he should be fined as much as possible or even 10 game ban.
To scratch the new ball after being changed was even more stupidity. I think he is looking for trouble, maybe he is one of those players who like to be on spotlight for good and bad reasons.
I think Shoaib, doesnt like to stay in the Pakistani team,
He only likes to stay in the Hot(stupid) News..
I really think that he has some phsyco problem,
he is involved in sex scandals, ball tempering, rude beviour and many more...