Ashraf justifies Shoaib fine

Nasim Ashraf, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, defended the board's decision to fine Shoaib Akhtar after he left the training camp in Karachi without permission.

"No matter who the individual is he will not be given special treatment if he violates regulations and misconducts," said Ashraf. Shoaib had left the camp early citing a stiff neck, but did not inform Talat Ali, the team manager.

Ashraf indicated the players won't be spared for misconduct and indiscipline. "We have now as a policy decided not to be lax where discipline and players conduct is concerned. No compromises would be made where team discipline is concerned."

Shoaib was fined approximately US$5000 and docked penalty points from the discipline category of his central contract with the board for leaving the camp without permission and not turning up at a subsequent hearing.

Dawn, the Karachi-based daily, reported that Shoaib went to Gaddafi Stadium to speak to the administration about the fine, apparently unhappy that he had received a letter from the board about the hearing on Friday, two days after the imposition of the fine.

Though the report claims Shoaib to have been visibly upset when there, Ahsan Malik, director communications, said "Shoaib came to me but he did not express any grievance over the PCB decision about the fine. He has also talked to Shafqat Naghmi [PCB's chief operating officer] over the phone but I have no idea what he said to him."