Shoaib "needs counselling"

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Nasim Ashraf has claimed that Shoaib Akhtar needs psychiatric counselling.

Paceman on his last warning

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Nasim Ashraf has claimed that Shoaib Akhtar needs psychiatric counselling. The 32-year-old paceman was banned on Thursday for 13 international matches and fined 3.4 million rupees (56,000 dollars) for striking teammate Mohammad Asif with a bat. "Akhtar hurt Pakistan's image and got the maximum punishment. Some form of counselling from a psychiatrist is compulsory for him," Ashraf told reporters. Shoaib has apologised for hitting fellow paceman Asif after practice three days before the start of the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa last month.

Example

"We have set an example as Akhtar has got the maximum possible punishments and he has accepted them. Akhtar has accepted his mistake and we hope that such a sad incident will not happen again," Ashraf added. "Akhtar will be under a probation of two years and in case of any further breach of code of conduct there will be grounds for a life ban and I hope Akhtar has learnt his lesson." Shoaib's ban is backdated to the Twenty20 and he will be available for the last of five one-day matches against South Africa to be played in Karachi on October 29.