Disciplinary panel starts Shoaib inquiry

Lahore, Sep 29 (UNI) Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) disciplinary committee probing the dressing room brawl on the eve of Twenty 20 World Cup in South Africa began its task of framing charges on maverick pacer Shoaib Akhtar.

The committee headed by PCB Chief Operating Officer Shafqat Naghmi held its preliminary meeting at the Gaddafi Stadium here yesterday but failed to finalise a 'charge-sheet' against the fast bowler.

The three-member panel, whose other members are Director Cricket Operations Zakir Khan and Nadeem Akram, wanted to formalise all the charges before summoning Akhtar for a hearing.

Thitytwo-year-old Akhtar was sent back home from South Africa just days before the start of the inaugural World Twenty20 after he hit and injured Asif with a bat.

The committee is expected to record statements of the players involved in the incident that took place in Johannesburg. It will hear Akhtar's version apart from getting statements from Asif and all-rounder Shahid Afridi, a key witness.

The panel is expected to complete the inquiry within the next ten days.

The probe though has almost ruled Akhtar out of the two-match Test series against South Africa starting in Karachi from October 1.

There are chances that the committee will recommend strict action against the pacer, who has a history of disciplinary problems.

UNI