Akram faces possible three-year suspension

KARACHI, Sept 30: `Joyride' fast bowler Mohammad Akram faces a threeyear suspension after he deserted the Pakistan team for the Asian Test Championship match against Bangladesh played at Multan last month.

According to sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) cricket operations, the suspension was recommended by a four-member disciplinary committee which met Thursday. The committee is headed by Khalid Hassan with Sirajul Islam Bukhari, Maazullah Khan and Abdur Raqeeb as other members.

Ironically, Akram's case was referred to the disciplinary committee by the PCB officials despite the fact that Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed had claimed that the paceman had left for England after securing permission from the chairman of the board.

Akram, who has played nine Tests in six years, was named in a 16-man squad for the Multan match. But the Allied Bank bowler proceeded to England just two days before the team was to assemble at the venue.

The director of the PCB, Brig Munawar Rana, as always refused to confirm or deny the report. "I can't confirm the story," he told reporters.

Interestingly, Akram's case was forwarded to the disciplinary committee though Shoaib Akhtar had been let off the hook despite committing the same offence in England in June.

Shoaib had preferred England Club Lashings over Pakistan team which had led to a strong reaction from Yawar Saeed who was also the manager on the tour to England.

Akram, who has yet to return to appear in the Patron's Trophy for his parent organization, is said to have joined British Metropolitan Police. However, Allied Bank officials refused to confirm the report.