Newly-wed Malik appeals Pakistan ban and fine
Newly-wed former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has appealed a ban and
heavy fine imposed on him by cricket authorities, barely two days before
the deadline, an official said Wednesday.
“Malik’s counsel Ahmed Hussain has sent his appeal against the fine
and ban and now an independent arbitrator will deal with the case,”
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) legal adviser Tafazzul Rizvi told AFP.
Last month the PCB imposed heavy fines and penalties on seven top
players following on- and off-field problems during tours of the United
Arab Emirates, New Zealand and Australia. Malik, who wedded Indian
tennis star Sania Mirza on Monday in Hyderabad, was banned for one year
and fined two million rupees (24,000 dollars) for violation of players’
code of conduct.
All-rounder Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, who appealed earlier this month, was
handed the same fine and punishment, while former captains Younus Khan
and Mohammad Yousuf were banned for an indefinite period for “infighting
which let the team down”. Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal and Umar Akmal
were also heavily fined.
The penalties came after a month-long inquiry by a committee set up
to investigate Pakistan’s dismal performance on the tour of Australia,
where they lost all three Tests, five one-day matches and a Twenty20
international.
The Akmal brothers lodged appeals last week, while Afridi and Younus
did so on Wednesday. With Malik’s move, six out of the seven penalised
players have appealed, leaving Yousuf the only one not to have done so.
The deadline to appeal is April 16.
In protest at his treatment, Yousuf announced his retirement from
international cricket last month. The PCB last month appointed two
retired Supreme Court judges Muneer Sheikh and Jamshed Ali Shah and
former high court judge Irfan Qadir to deal with the appeals. One of the
judges will hear the appeals, said Rizvi.
Commenting on a demand by Younus’ lawyer that the appeal process be
held in public, Rizvi said that was a decision for the arbitrator.
“Usually in-house tribunal proceedings are never held in public, but
it will be up to the arbitrator to regulate the procedure, which will be
decided after the deadline of the appeal.” Pakistan’s next assignment is
to defend their World Twenty20 title in the West Indies, starting from
April 30.
Afridi will lead the team, which also includes the Akmal brothers.
LAHORE, AFP |
