Pak board instructs Akhtar to undergo counselling

After slapping an exemplary ban and fine on Shoaib Akhtar, Pakistan Cricket Board today said it was compulsory for...

After slapping an exemplary ban and fine on Shoaib Akhtar, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) 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 lakh 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.

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“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 PCB 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-match 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.

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“He will miss the first four one-dayers against South Africa but will 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.