Shoaib Akhtar banned for five years

Shoaib Akhtar, Pakistan's fast bowler and popularly known as the Rawalpindi Express, was handed over a ban of five years after repeated incidents of disciplinary breaches. This could mean an end to the maverick paceman's controversial career.

The paceman who was previously handed over a ban of two years after hitting a teammate with the bat appeared before a disciplinary committee that imposed a ban of two years after Akhtar was found publicly criticizing the country's cricket board.

From Foxsports.com.au:

Akhtar last played for Pakistan in the third and final Test against India at Bangalore in December last year. He broke down with back trouble and was blamed for Pakistan's 1-0 series defeat.

The “Rawalpindi Express” was not selected for Pakistan's five-match series against Zimbabwe in February and was omitted from next month's first two limited-overs fixtures against Bangladesh.

In 2006, Akhtar and Asif tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone and were expelled from Pakistan's Champions Trophy team for India. Akhtar was banned for two years and Asif for one year, but the bans were lifted on appeal.

Separately spinner Danish Kaneria, who also faced a charge of criticising the PCB, was severely reprimanded, Ashraf said.

Kaneria had hit out at his demotion from category “B” to “C” in the central contract in an online column. He later blamed a newspaper for publishing his words out of context.

“Since this was Kaneria's first offense on discipline, he has been severely reprimanded and barred from issuing any press statements,” Ashraf said.

The Pakistan cricket team is all about issues, which is evident from the incidents when and Inzamam-ul-Haq's team forfeited a Test in 2006 after being accused of ball-tampering and coach Bob Woolmer died at last year's World Cup.