Shoaib Akhtar Banned for 5 years!

The Rawalpindi Express, the premium fast bowler of Pakistan Cricket Team has been found guilty of violating the code and conduct. He has been banned for five years by the disciplinary committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Shoaib had appeared before a disciplinary committee in February after being charged with publicly criticising the Pakistan board for offering him a retainership instead of a contract. The board had offered contracts to 15 players, based on a formula that took into account their performance, but Shoaib was demoted to a retainership from the Category A contract he held last year.

"The board has lost confidence in Shoaib Akhtar and therefore felt his presence in the field was damaging to the Pakistan team, for Pakistan players and for the image of Pakistan cricket," the PCB chairman, Nasim Ashraf, told AFP. "The committee has recommended a five-year ban for Shoaib Akhtar. He will be ineligible to play in Pakistan or to play for Pakistan anywhere else in the world. [It is] a sad day for me and for Shoaib Akhtar. He is such a talented player."

Reacting to the verdict, Shoaib said, "he will go to court and fight against the ban."

He also negated Ashraf's claims that he was a negative influence on the team and vowed to make a comeback. "Ask the captain (Shoaib Malik), ask coach Geoff Lawson and they would vouch for me. I had played with high fever on the India tour (last year), which proved my commitment," he said. "I bowl fast so I am prone to injuries, but I have given my heart, soul and body to this team. I know some vested interest did not want me to be the part of the team, but I will be back."

Of course, Shoaib can appeal this verdict and has promised to do that.

He is already on probation for two years for hitting Mohammad Asif with the bat before the start of the T20 world cup in South Africa in 2007. He also paid the penalty of $52,000, which is approximately 34 lack rupees.

Danish Kanera was also charged with the same offense, but let off with a severe warning. He said, he was barred from issuing any press statments.