Shoib banned for 5 years

Shocking decision by PCB on April 1st 2008, which banned Shoib Akhtar for 5 years for violating the players "code of conduct".

As per reports, Shoib critisized PCB publicly for offering him a retainership instead of a contract, but later apolozized to the board and the public.

PCB announsement : "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."

Shoib said : "deeply disappointed and hurt by the decision. I will go to court and fight against the ban.

Imran said, he has not heard of such ban ever and is shocked with the decision. He didn't support Akhtar, but said such a ban is meaningful if Shoib kills somebody on the field.

Shoib Statistics

Tests

Matches : 46
Wkts : 178
5 W haul : 12 times
10 W haul : 2
Average : 25.69

ODI's

Matches : 138
Wkts : 219
5 W haul : 4 times
Average : 23.20

He represents "Kolkata Knight Riders Squad" in IPL. Interesting to see if he continues to play for Kolkata and how well Saurav & Sharukh handle this situation.