Two-Game Ban For Afridi After Ball-Tampering Incident

Two-Game Ban For Afridi After Ball-Tampering Incident

Shahid Afridi.

©REUTERS/Nikhil Monteiro (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES SPORT CRICKET) Picture Supplied by Action Images

Pakistan's Twenty20 International captain Shahid Afridi has been banned for two T20Is after he was found guilty of ball-tampering, or 'changing the condition of the ball' during the fiffth One-Day International against Australia in Perth.

Afridi was leading his side in the absence of Mohammad Yousuf and at a hearing after the two-wicket defeat that sealed a 5-0 series whitewash for the home team, Afridi pleaded guilty to the charge.

TV cameras clearly showed him biting the ball during Australia's run chase.

“I imposed the maximum penalty under the code to Shahid and reminded him of his responsibilities as a national captain which is to ensure that the match is played according to the laws of the game and in the spirit in which it is intended to be played," match referee Ranjan Madugalle commented.

“Shahid, when pleading guilty, apologised and regretted his actions.”

It is the second time he has faced a ban of two international matches after he was suspended for two Test matches in 2005 after he deliberately scuffed up the pitch during a Test against England in Faisalabad.

© Cricket World 2010

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