Odumbe banned for five years

8220;The judge recommended that Maurice Odumbe be banned for five years for inappopriate contact with a known bookie, and we have endorsed those recommendations,8221; KCA chairman Sharad Ghei said.

The ban takes effect immediately.

International cricket8217;s ruling body charged Odumbe, 35, with making inappropriate contact with an Indian bookmaker and consequently bringing the game into dispute.

Former Zimbabwean Supreme Court Judge Ahmed Ebrahim ruled that there was enough evidence to support those charges, after hearing four days of testimony.

Odumbe said he planned to appeal against the verdict and was disappointed. 8220;I am shocked and surprised, but life has to go on,8221; Odumbe told reporters after the verdict was announced.