Shoaib could face further disciplinary action: Ashraf

KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Naseem Ashraf today said fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar could face further disciplinary action once he returned home from South Africa following a brawl with teammate Mohammad Asif.

"The decision to recall him has been taken after an immediate action by the tour management committee. When the team returns a detailed inquiry and disciplinary hearing would be held into the incident and further action can be taken against Shoaib," Ashraf said.

Ashraf said the Board backed the tour management's decision to send back Shoaib immediately from the World Twenty20 Championships as the matter was a serious one.

"Let him come back and than there will be more action," Ashraf said.

Asif escaped a serious injury but Ashraf said what had happened was disgraceful and Shoaib's actions could not be condoned at all.

"We don't expect our senior players to behave in this rowdy manner. This incident has badly damaged the image of Pakistan cricket," he said.

Shoaib was recalled after he struck Asif with a bat on his left thigh during the team's net session at the Centurion Park on Thursday.

The unfortunate episode took place hours after the team had reached Johannesburg from Nairobi where they won a four-nation Twenty20 tournament in which Shoaib also played.