Pakistan clears Akhtar of indiscipline

KARACHI: Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was on Friday waived off a fine for breach of discipline during the national cricket camp after a warning that he should stay out of trouble for next six weeks.

Shoaib was cleared of the charges after the Pakistan Cricket Board was convinced that the entire incident was the result of miscommunication in a fresh inquiry conducted by team manager Talat Ali.

"Akhtar has been exonerated after a warning as he explained that the entire incident was the result of miscommunication," Ali said.

Shoaib had been fined 100,000 rupees for leaving a training camp in Karachi earlier this month without informing Ali, and 200,000 rupees for snubbing a subsequent hearing.

But Shoaib appealed against the fine on the grounds that he was not given advance notice of the hearing, having only been told after the fine was imposed.

The 32-year-old fast bowler also pleaded that he had told captain Shoaib Malik that he was leaving the camp. Malik agreed but said he had informed the paceman to also tell Ali, according to PCB officials.

An appellate committee had on Monday ordered a fresh inquiry into the alleged breach of discipline by the bowler.

Shoaib, who is a part of Pakistan's squad for next month's inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa, said the decision would help him concentrate on the game.

"The episode had disturbed me no end. Now I can focus on my game and play my part in the Twenty20 World Cup," he said.