Shoaib cleared of disciplinary breach

The Pakistan board cleared Shoaib Akhtar of indiscipline and suspended a Rs 300,000 [US$5,000] fine, while warning him not to breach the board's code of conduct for another next six weeks.

The decision was taken after a fresh hearing conducted by Talat Ali, the team manager, with captain Shoaib Malik appearing as a witness. "Akhtar has been exonerated after a warning as he explained that the entire incident was the result of miscommunication," Ali told AFP.

Shoaib had been fined Rs 100,000 for leaving a training camp in Karachi on August 4 without informing Ali. The fine was raised to Rs 300,000 after Shoaib missed a disciplinary hearing regarding the matter.

Shoaib appealed against the fine on the grounds that he had not been given advance notice of the hearing. He also maintained that he had informed Malik before leaving the camp.

Ahsan Malik, the PCB spokeman, said that a fine could be imposed on Shoaib in case of another breach. "Ali conducted the fresh inquiry after which it has been decided to suspend the fine for the next six weeks and in case of another breach the bowler will be fined Rs 100,000."