More trouble for Shoaib

The controversial career of Shoaib Akhtar took yet another twist when his alleged misconduct during the Sharjah Cup final against Sri Lanka was referred to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) disciplinary committee.

Television footages showed Shoaib Akhtar showing gestures to Sri Lankan batsman Mahela Jayawardena after having him caught behind. Had former captain Wasim Akram not intervened, the situation might have gone out of hand.

"In view of the reports appearing in the media regarding alleged misconduct of Shoaib Akhtar at Sharjah in matches against Sri Lanka, chairman PCB has referred the matter to the PCB disciplinary committee," the PCB said in a written statement.

Shoaib has been summoned before the disciplinary committee Monday. The committee is headed by Brig Iqbal Awan with Sirajul Islam Bukhari, Abdul Raqib and Maazullah as members.

The director of the PCB, Brig Munawwar Rana, said from Lahore that the disciplinary committee has not been given any time frame to wind up the case. But added that the committee normally submits its findings and recommendations pretty soon.

The PCB official further said it was entirely upto the disciplinary committee if it wanted to see the television footage of the incident or question players who were at the site of the incident.

Shoaib had apparently reacted after Jayawardena had hit a boundary a ball before being dismissed. Earlier, the graceful Sri Lankan batsman had welcomed Shoaib by hooking the pacer's first ball for a six.

Ironically, Shoaib was reported for the third time since December 1999 for a suspect bowling action by match referee Denis Lindsay after the completion of the tri-nation tournament which Pakistan won.

Shoaib's reactions also didn't please Pakistan captain Waqar Younis who was out of the field at the time of incident.

"I didn't like that all. No fast bowler likes to be hit first ball out of the park but then passing remarks or showing gestures is not good either.

"There are several other ways for Shoaib or any fast bowler to show aggression. But the way Shoaib behaved, I don't think he made many friends. But then again, he is a committed youngster and wants to deliver. He probably got carried away by the situation," Waqar said last Friday.

Shoaib has previously been fined Rs 50,000 and suspended from the first one-day international against Sri Lanka last March when he was found guilty of night-out on the tour to Australia for the three-nation tournament.

The disciplinary committee last month slapped a one-season suspension on fast bowler Mohammad Akram after he deserted the Pakistan team for the Asian Test Championship match against Bangladesh in August. Akram claims he had informed the selectors not to consider him for the match which Pakistan won with more than seven sessions to spare.

While the PCB has gone full distance in getting Shoaib cleared from the charges of throwing, it at the same time has conveyed that no player was above law and indiscipline would not be tolerated.