Shoaib calls for leniency from PCB for his 'chidish act'

Lahore, Sep 9 (UNI) Fearing a possible life ban for his ugly spat with fellow pacer Mohammad Asif, controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has begged for leniency from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

During the team's net session at the Centurion Park last Thrusday Shoaib hit Asif on the thigh with a bat following a heated arguement after which the PCB asked the maverick bowler to return home by the first flight available.

However, after returning home Shoaib apoligised for his childish act before the mediapersons.

''I am sorry and it should not have happened. I asked the authorities not to ban me for a lengthy period,'' he said.

He also justified his stand on the incident saying his spat with Asif was not intentional and was a mere accidental, but lashed out dashing all-rounder Shahid Afridi as according to him it all started when Afridi insulted his family.

''I got agitated when Afridi used bad words about my family, and Asif was accidentally struck on the thigh.

''I can't tolerate it if someone uses bad words about my family, even if it's in a lighter vein,'' he added.

The 32-year-old pacer also asked his countrymen not to portray him as a villian for his unceremonious act.

''Please don't portray me as a villain. I am not a villain,'' Shoaib pleaded.

Shoaib, who had made a return to the side after playing just one Test and four one-dayers in the last 15-months, has a history of indisciplinary acts and run-ins with players and PCB officials and has been reprimanded on several occasions for his conduct.

He has been sent home twice before -- from Australia and South Africa -- after spats with the management. He had also faced a probe after the 2004 home series against India on whether he had faked an injury in the final Test in Rawalpindi.

On his last visit to South Africa earlier this year, he was also told to return home after he was involved in a spat with former coach late Bob Woolmer.

He was also recalled from Australia after captain Inzamam-ul Haq and Woolmer complained of his behaviour in early 2005.

Last year, he and Asif had tested positive for the banned substance Nandrolone in an internal test conducted by the PCB before the Champions Trophy in India.

The duo were handed two year (to Shoaib) and one year (Asif) bans by a drugs inquiry tribunal only to be exonerated of doping offences by a PCB-appointed appellate committee on appeal.

Even before leaving for South Africa, Shoaib was hauled up on indiscipline charges and fined rupees 300,000 by the team manager and PCB for leaving a training camp in Karachi on August 4 without informing the manager.

He appealed against the fine maintaining that he had told captain Shoaib Malik about his departure and was later let off indiscipline charges with a warning.

But this time around, the PCB was in no mood to overlook his indecent behaviour and suspended him for a indefinite period of time until a disciplinary meeting.

Meanwhile, the nation's board named rookie left-arm pacer Sohail Tanvir as Shoaib's replacement in the Pakistan squad for inaugural Twenty20 World Championships which kick starts on September 11 in South Africa.

UNI