Wasim Akram fined for hurting religious feelings

Wasim Akram has been fined by a Lahore court after failing to appear to answer changes that he hurt religious sentiments by appearing in an advertisement for an Indian liquor company.

The civil court ruled against him by default as a result of his non appearance, although Wasim's solictor later claimed that his client had never been notified of the hearing. He dismissed the claim as a "frivolous petition".

The case was brought by a local individual who claimed that he had suffered as a result of the advertisement. He asked for a public apology and damages of Rs 25,000 (US$500).

Wasim appeared in the advertisement last year, along with other cricketers such as Harbhajan Singh and Glenn McGrath. He previously denied the accusation, arguing he worked for the company which also manufactured sports equipments.