Saqib Ali banned for a year after umpire attack

UAE international Saqib Ali has been banned for a year after he was found guilty of attempting to assault an umpire during a local Twenty20 cup tie.

The Dubai-based National newspaper reported that Saqib had a heated argument with Mohammed Asif, who was standing as the square-leg umpire, after an appeal for a catch behind was turned down by Asif's colleague. It is claimed that Saqib then grabbed a bail and threw it at the umpire - it missed, but Saqib had to be hauled away by team-mates.

"We do not tolerate such on-field behaviour from any player," Wajahat Husain, the new president of the Abu Dhabi Cricket Council, told the newspaper.

The ban means he will miss the ACC Twenty20 Cup and World Twenty20 Qualifiers, as well as most of UAE's Intercontinental Cup matches.

He does have the right to appeal.