PCB chief seeks legal opinion

Karachi, (PTI) - The PCB Chairman has consulted with his legal advisors, the repercussions of implementing the recommendations of an inquiry committee, which has sought bans and fines on leading players.

Well placed sources told PTI that Ejaz Butt has taken legal opinion on what possible legal reaction could come from the players if they are banned and fined.

"The board is expecting that some of the players might seek legal remedy against the penalities," one source said.

"The Chairman has also told the selection committee to put on hold finalising the Pakistan squad for the T20 World Cup until a final decision is taken on the recommendations of the inquiry committee," the source added.

"The selectors have had a detailed meeting with the Chairman but are now waiting for clearance from the board on the pool of players they can select the team from."

The inquiry committee has recommended 12-month bans on Shoaib Malik and Rana Naved for creating dissension in the team and not cooperating with the team management on the Australian tour and a six month suspension plus a three million rupee fine on wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal.

Similarly there is a recommendation that Shahid Afridi and Umar Akmal be fined three and two million rupees respectively and be kept under six months observation.

If the inquiry committee's recommendations are implemented it would be for the first time in the history of Pakistan cricket that such severe punishments would be handed out to so many players in one go.

In the past the Board had taken disciplinary action against players including a five year ban on fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar but never had it taken collective action against more then one or two players.

Ejaz Butt meanwhile told a television channel that, while he would announce the penalties for players soon, he will not share the full contents of the inquiry committee report with the public as it was confidential.

"We are looking at fines and bans as punishment and the action that we will take will definitely be more than significant," he said.

Butt also made it clear that the inquiry committee report was very concrete and detailed and had given valid reasons for taking action against the players.

"It has taken input from all concerned stakeholders."

A source who attended the meeting with Butt on Monday said the PCB Chairman looked intent upon implementing the inquiry committee report but pointed out that in Pakistan, where political pressure and general influence worked a lot, anything could happen in a matter of hours.

"I would say nothing is confirmed until the board makes an official announcement," he said.