PCB fines three players for breaking curfew

Pakistan opener Shahzaib Hasan, left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman and wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider have been fined by the PCB for breaking curfew during the ongoing ODI series against South Africa in the UAE. The trio were fined 500 Dirhams (USD$136) each as per the PCB's revised code of conduct, brought into operation in the aftermath of the spot-fixing controversy.

"We have reminded the players that there will be no tolerance on indiscipline and after these three players returned late to the team hotel by five minutes they have been fined and issued show-cause notices," team manager and former coach Intikhab Alam told reporters in Dubai. "All the players have been told about their responsibility and that Pakistan cricket is first and foremost, so we think that stricter steps will bring good results."

The revised code of conduct, which has a strong emphasis on anti-corruption, was signed by all players ahead of the trip to the UAE and was part of the ICC's recommendations and ultimatum to the PCB to clean up its act in tackling corruption and arrest the decline of Pakistan cricket. The measures taken by the PCB thus far - reworking its code of conduct and setting up an Integrity Committee to address issues of corruption and doping - have been welcomed by the ICC.

Most recently, the PCB revoked the central contracts of Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif - the three players provisionally suspended by the ICC for their alleged involvement in the spot-fixing controversy. Butt and Amir had their appeals against the ICC's suspensions heard in Dubai which were subsequently dismissed, while Asif withdrew his appeal and will have to wait for the final hearing on the matter, due before the end of the year.

The current ODI series between Pakistan and South Africa is tied 2-2 and the decider will be played on Monday.