Hearing of Punished Pakistani Players Starts Today

Hearing of banned and fined Pakistani players started today in the presence of an arbitrator. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) handed punishments to seven of the Pakistan cricketers who represented their countries at international level. The players who were banned and fined include Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Yousuf, Shahid Afridi, Rana Naved, Kamran Akmal and Umar Akmal on disciplinary ground. The punishments were imposed following Pakistan’s disappointing tour of Australia. Pakistan team lost all the matches to Australia on that tour.

Three players: Afridi, Kamran and Umar Akmal- were not present at the hearing as they are currently in West Indies to represent Pakistan in the ICC World Twenty20 2010. Their hearing will begin after they come back home. Expect Mohammad Yousuf, who has retired from international cricket, all other players appealed against their punishments.

Today, Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik and Rana Naved were present at the hearing before arbitrator Irfan Qadir along with their lawyears.

Etaiwannews reported:

Lawyers of three players _ Younis, Malik and Naved _ appeared before arbitrator Irfan Qadir on Friday and requested access to the relevant documents.

The PCB had fined Naved two million rupees ($23,500) and suspended him for one year for poor performance while Malik was handed similar punishment for indiscipline. Younis was indefinitely banned from representing Pakistan for alleged infighting with Yousuf.

Qadir said Younis requested an early date for the next hearing which will be held on May 8. Malik and Naved will reappear before the arbitrator on May 22.

Younis Khan’s lawyear also wants the hearing to be open for the general public so that they can come to know about the truth. Well, there is no problem if a player is punished for his wrongdoing, but what about the PCB officials? They also have to take the responsibility of Pakistan’s humiliating performance in Australia. Then why they are not hiding their face by imposing ban on the players.