Afridi handed two-game ban

Pakistan coach condemns all-rounder as he faces suspension

Last updated: 31st January 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Afridi handed two-game ban

Afridi: two-match ban

Being a captain you should be above everything but unfortunately it's happened and it's up to the referee what sort of charges he's going to level against him.

Intikhab Alam
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Pakistan's Shahid Afridi has been banned for two Twenty20 internationals after appearing to bite the ball during the fifth one-dayer against Australia.

The all-rounder was caught by television cameras putting the ball in his mouth during a match that the tourists lost by two wickets at the WACA in Perth.

The third umpire reported the incident to the on-field officials Asoka de Silva and Paul Reiffel, who immediately ordered the ball be replaced.

In a hearing straight after the game, Afridi pleaded guilty to breaching article 2.2.9 of the International Cricket Council's Code Of Conduct after being charged with "changing the condition of the ball in breach of Law 42.3 of the Laws of Cricket".

Maximum penalty

Match referee Ranjan Madugalle decided to imposed two suspension points on the player, equating to two T20 matches for his country.

"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," Madugalle said.

"Shahid, when pleading guilty, apologised and regretted his actions."

Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam branded the behaviour of Afridi, who was captaining the side in the absence of Mohammad Yousuf, as "unacceptable".

"It's unacceptable," said Alam. "It shouldn't have happened but it happened and I feel sorry for him.

"Being a captain you should be above everything but unfortunately it's happened and it's up to the referee what sort of charges he's going to level against him. I have no idea."

Afridi will now miss the fixture against Australia on February 5, as well as the first of two matches against England in Dubai on February 19.

Spectator

The game was also overshadowed by an incident during the home side's run chase when a fan ran onto the field and rugby tackled Pakistan's Kalid Latif, who was not hurt in the incident.

Australia seamer Clint McKay, who took 4-35 to help bowl the tourists out for 212 earlier in the day, was outraged by the spectator's intrusion.

"I thought it was disgraceful," he said. "Something you don't want to see ever.

"For someone to go out there and to touch one of their players is not on. Hopefully it all gets put to bed and he gets a right whack. It's not something you want to happen.

"It's probably the worst thing that can happen on a cricket field, so hopefully it gets stamped out and we don't see it again."