Shoaib banned for two matches
Charlie Austin - 21 May 2003
Shoaib Akhtar has been fined 75% of his match fee and banned for two one-day internationals for ball- tampering. Akhtar was found guilty of changing the condition of the ball (Law 42.3) and breaching Level 2.10 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players.
Shoaib was hauled before Gundappa Viswanath, the match referee, on Tuesday night after television footage showed him scratching the surface of the ball during Pakistan’s 22-run victory over New Zealand.
“Tampering with the ball is contrary to the laws and the spirit of cricket,” said Viswanath. "I consider this offence to be of a serious nature and the penalty imposed reflects this view.
“It is unfair to attempt to gain any advantage by altering the condition of the ball, apart from the traditional method of polishing, or the drying of a wet ball,” added Viswanath. “Players are aware that they can clean the seam under the direct supervision of an umpire.”
Shoaib, who pleaded not guilty, will miss the final of the Bank Alfalah Cup on Friday.
Shoaib was warned for ball-tampering during Pakistan’s recent tour of Zimbabwe by Clive Lloyd and, later in the same tour, was banned for one match for throwing a bottle into the crowd.
Shoaib was dropped from the team after a poor World Cup, and was brought back for the triangular series in Sri Lanka only after being warned by Tauqir Zia, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Zia made it clear that Shoaib’s behaviour would be scrutinised closely and any further misdemeanors would jeopardise his career.
Pathetic, he got what he deserved. It is a shame that he has to resort to such cheap tactics, especially as he bowled very well when the ball was changed. The man needs to see a psychistarist (hope I spelled it right)
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*Originally posted by ehsan: *
Pathetic, he got what he deserved. It is a shame that he has to resort to such cheap tactics, especially as he bowled very well when the ball was changed. The man needs to see a psychistarist (hope I spelled it right)
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Just 2-match banned? Doesn't Cricket Law says the banned could be upto 10 matches if found guilty? I heard that Kiwi commentator was reading the Book of Cricket Laws in the yesterday's match when he spotted Shoaib scratching the ball.
No wonder ICC rules are screwed up! They can't even fined a player decently.
It's ok, I'm happy that he didn't get more than a 2 match ban. Why should we suffer more than necessary when in the past English and South African players haven't been punished when in it was quite clear that they had been caught tampering with the ball. You can't change the rules only to suit yourselves.
Going on from here we need to impose our own code of conduct on the players. The PCB should have a fine system in place for anybody who brings the national team into disrepute, why wait on the ICC? It needs to be pointed out to the likes of Shoaib that if he can't resist the urge to mess about with the ball then he should maybe consider retirement because it's not going to fly any more.
well first of all thankx coOoLBreeze for backing me up on my shoaib's comment. and Hello143 believe it or not i was expexting that. its been a while when som body has talked about me being very critical of pakistani cricket. Its just that i ahev followed cricket so closely (Not ONLY PAKISTANI CRICKET ) that i know how much the level of pakistani cricket has declined in last 8-9 years. and i have mentioned it infront of many people, who normally just followe pakistani cricket so they called me anti-pakistani. Hello143 U have been more specific than others, but i am glad that u did not seem to be disagree with what i said. u just did not like it.
Alot of people know about shoaib when he played his first test match, or when he played against India. i first heard of him in 1995, when i friend of mine attended Pak under 19 camp and he said that there is this guy in camp, who people believe bowls faster than waqar younis. i first watched him in Mar 1997, and he seemed sharp. i always enjoyed watching him bowl. but i think they way he was treated after that Tendulkar's wicket realy mad him think of himself as something who can break any rule, and he would still be accepted Since may be in his mind PAKISTAN NEEDS HIM HE DOES NOT NEED PAKISTAN.
treating akhter and and some other players and such a way is ONE OF THE reason of decline of pakistan's cricket. i have ALOT to say over this issue and as soon i get some time i would put up a post.(Boy i can imagine how much trouble i am going to get myself in for that!!!) and i am sure it will be fun sharing views of other people on that topic
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Does anyone have a video/screen cap of him scratching the ball?? I missed it but wnat to know if it actually happened or more of an exaggeration by the umpires?
and if it did happen then this guy has a serious problem.. for once he was performing decently and he blew it up by being a dumbass. I just dont get it.. i mean is he cracked on the head or what??
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*Originally posted by Nikema: *
well first of all thankx coOoLBreeze for backing me up on my shoaib's
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Any time Bhayeee..
I know, he cannot be an inch closer to Waqar Wasim,Imran Or Sarfaraz(I dont like him either,but he was a great bowler)
any way, coming to Shoaib once again. He is a professional cricketer and he should follow descipline which is necessary...
and he always go the other way around...
like waht he did in South Africa, the Avari Hotel Lahore and so many places,,,
I really dont know, why do we support him anymore.....
his performance is not even near to the two legends the TWO W's....
man I miss those days. when Waqar and Wasim Used to bowl. which ever place and no matter what kind of wicket.. they use to kick some butt of the batsmen..
but this man shoaib can get unfit at any time, ( even after two three overs)...
the conclusion is , that guy never impressed me, coz we have seen the best ever fast bowling already, and he aint gonnaa touch there heels
First of all, i m no great Fan of Shoaib Akhtar’s ill-disciplined approach towards his great talant. And yes he has made a terrible and stupid mistake.
But i was just concerned as how this rule 42.3 is totally out of place. I was watching a documentary on ESPN and they were showing people getting caught interfering with the seam. Atherton, cronje, Tendulkar wre shown doing stuff with seam of the ball. And then they showed Shoaibs footage and believe me it was much more less offensive then Athjers or Tendulkars… India made a big cry as how Tendulkar was cleaning the ball and bla bla.
My point is, If seam has dirt on it and does nothing even without landing coz of that dirt, it should be allowed to clean it coz thats the bowlers right, i mean finernail is the least pointed thing you can use to do that. I know ppl would raise issue that ppl can misuse this allowance to lift the seam and stuff but That can be monitored by Umpire, cant it?
When Shoaib says he was cleaning the ball, why we shouldnt consider the slightest possibility that maybe just maybe he was right ?? It would be stupid for any bowler to hand to the umpire anytime ‘Okay umpire, clean it up’
Dont jump on me ppl, i just thing this rule is stupid.
he can clean it under the supervision of an umpire.
to be honest, i dont care much about shoaib or his bowling talents. We have better bowlers than him. in a way i am glad we will get rid of this nuisance in our cricket team. he belongs in some lollywood film.
**PCB statement on Shoaib Akhtar ban
Pakistan Cricket Board - 21 May 2003
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued the following statement on the penalties imposed on Shoaib Akhtar by Gundappa Viswanath, the match referee:
“The PCB will not challenge the decision of the match referee. The chief executive of the PCB is in Dambulla and he has been instructed to brief Shoaib Akhtar on the consequences of his action and what is expected of him. The PCB will take no further disciplinary action against Shoaib Akhtar as he has already been fined for the offence. He will not be called back from Sri Lanka as the Pakistan cricket team is due to arrive in Karachi on May 24 at 0300 hours.”
yeah and it's not the first time, we needed him last year after ODI series in Australia and he was playing for Lashing, we needed him in south africa, he GOT injured and FLEW to pakistan but was found on the dance floor for the an opening show of some indian movie, his excuse was " i was representing Pakistan in that show "
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but i dont think that we are going to miss him in this final as much as we think. yeah he provided an edge over kiwies. but look at their side, they have lost Shane bond. we at the other hand still have a fast strike bowler in sami,they dont have it.
i guess its matter of putting the runs on the board now. its Batsman's job now. Also the wicket has behaved differently in last 3 games. spinners have played a crucial part in results and Pak are better served in that department. so i still think it's going to be a good game. even with this young team, i think Pak can pull it off.
it simply means that 10 games is the max figure 
this guy has a serious problem.. for once he was performing decently and he blew it up by being a dumbass. I just dont get it.. i mean is he cracked on the head or what??