Shoaib accused of ball-tampering again

Pakistan's fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar faces a possible ban if he is found guilty of ball-tampering during the sixth match of the Bank Alfalah Cup in Sri Lanka. Shoaib was hauled before the match referee, Gundappa Viswanath, on Tuesday night after television footage during Pakistan's 22-run win over New Zealand at Dambulla today suggested that he was trying to alter the condition of the ball.

Viswanath requested TV evidence after the match, and held an hourlong hearing with the match umpires Daryl Harper (Australia) and Peter Manuel (Sri Lanka) as well as the Pakistan team management. "The umpires advised me to view television clippings, believing that the condition of the ball may have been changed," said Viswanath. "I will make my decision tomorrow." That decision is expected at 1230 local time (0630 GMT) tomorrow.

The incident was brought to the attention of the third umpire, Gamini Silva, after the TV broadcaster showed close-up shots of Shoaib apparently scratching the quarter-seam of the ball. If found guilty of breaking Law 42.3, which refers to changing the condition of the match ball, he will be face a minimum four-match ban, as this would be his second offence inside the last 12 months.

This allegation is another controversial incident in Shoaib's career. As well as having endured scrutiny on his bowling action since the start of his international playing days, he recently faced a one-match suspension during Pakistan's tour of Zimbabwe before the World Cup for throwing a plastic bottle at spectators during a match.