Waqar suspended for ball tampering

Two other Pakistani players, captain Moin Khan and all-rounder Azhar Mahmood, were also hauled up by tournament referee John Reid of New Zealand in connection with the same offence.

In a statement released here on Reid’s behalf by the Sri Lankan Cricket Board, Mahmood was fined 30 per cent of his fees and Moin severely reprimanded for “allowing the spirit of the game to be impaired”.

Reid said the players had contravened the laws and spirit of the game after both Waqar and Mahmood were caught on television tampering with the ball. Waqar received a heavier penalty than Mahmood because he had been warned for a similar offence by Reid during the third Test against Sri Lanka at Kandy last week.

The one-match suspension meant Pakistan were without their most experienced bowler for the key match against hosts Sri Lanka currently on here. But Waqar will be allowed to return for Pakistan’s last league match against South Africa on Wednesday.

Reid summoned Pakistani team manager Mohammad Nazir, coach Javed Miandad and Moin Sunday morning and informed them of his decisions. “The referee considered that the incident, which was clearly visible on television, was serious,” the statement said.

“Waqar Younis was fined 50 per cent of his match fee and given a one ODI match suspension effective immediately. Azhar Mahmoood has been fined 30 per cent of his matchfee. Moin Khan, the Pakistani captain, who is responsible for his team’s actions on the field, has been severely reprimanded for allowing the spirit of the game to be impaired,” the statement said.

Waqar and the other players refused to speak to the media, but team manager Nazir said the “boys were obviously very shocked.” He added the team was not planning to appeal against the decision.

Waqar and his long-time new-ball partner Wasim Akram were accused by the British media in 1992 of tampering with the ball, but no official action was taken then. Former England captain Michael Atherton was fined in 1994 by his own team management for the “dirt in the pocket” affair during a Test match against South Africa at Lord’s.