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 Karachi,
Oct 12: After slapping an exemplary ban and fine on Shoaib
Akhtar, Pakistan Cricket Board today said it was compulsory for
the temperamental fast bowler to undergo counselling as part of
his rehabilitation process. Shoaib was banned for 13 matches and
fined Rs 34 lakhs and also put on a two-year probation yesterday
by the PCB after finding him guilty of four instances of
violating the players code of conduct. The charges included the
brawl he had with teammate Mohammad Asif in South Africa last
month and for which he was sent back by the team management as a
disciplinary measure. "The 13-match ban and fine is the maximum
we could impose on him for his violation of the code of conduct.
But it is also compulsory for him to have some sort of
counselling in this period," PCB Chairman Nasim Ashraf told
reporters.
Pakistan's team manager Talat Ali had
recommended to the Board that Shoaib required counselling to
overcome his problems which have seen him get into trouble with
authorities since his debut in 1997. "The probation period is
meant to tell him he has to now improve and if during this
period he is again involved in any violation of the team code of
conduct or indiscipline, he will face an automatic life ban,"
Ashraf said.
He said Shoaib's behaviour had disappointed
him a lot as it damaged the image of Pakistan cricket. "But he
has realised his mistake and regretted his actions to the
disciplinary committee, team and the Board. So we want to move
on. But we expect him to be very careful about his behaviour,"
he said. Shoaib will be available to play in the fifth and final
one-day international against South Africa which is being held
on October 29 in Karachi. The PCB explained that since the
13-matche ban period started immediately after he was sent home,
Shoaib had already completed a ban of nine matches including
seven in the Twenty20 World Cup and two Tests against South
Africa .
"He will miss the first four one-dayers
against South Africa but be available for the fifth match in
Karachi that is if the selectors feel he is match fit to resume
playing at the top level," Ashraf said. Chief selector
Salahuddin Ahmed said Shoaib would be in contention for the
final one-dayer against South Africa. "But first of all he has
to show he is 100 per cent match fit," he said.
Sources in the Board said the selectors were
definitely going to play Shoaib in the one-dayer as they woukd
like to Test him out for the tour of India for which the team
leaves on November 1. "Shoaib will be in the team for India that
is for sure. And he has been told to start training for the
final one-dayer against South Africa," one source said. The
32-year-old bowler has played in just one Test and four one-dayers
since early 2006 due to injuries and other disciplinary issues.
"The reason why Shoaib has decided against appealing against the
ban, fine and probation period is because he has reached an
understanding with the Board and he is also keen to tour India
which could be the last time he gets a chance to play in India,"
one source said. Shoaib had also missed the full tour of India
in 2005 due to fitness issues. (Agencies)
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