PCB lifts ban on Malik

Shoaib Malik's one-year ban from international cricket is over after the Pakistan Cricket Board arbitrator quashed his suspension. The PCB advocate Talib Rizvi said the cricket board had recommended to the arbitrator Irfan Qadir to rescind the ban, and he agreed to halve the fine on the former Pakistan captain to one million rupees ($11,750). "We (PCB) had watched Malik's attitude and conduct over the last three months and proposed that ban should be lifted," Rizvi told reporters after the hearing.

The PCB initally imposed the suspension and fine for ill discipline dring Pakistan's winless tour of Australia earlier this year. "Both parties had a reasonable stand, but it's my decision (to lift the ban and reduce the fine)," Qadir said. Malik is among six players who have filed appeals against the fines and suspensions. The selectors have already included Malik among 35 probables for next month's Asia Cup and twin test series against Australia and England.

"Malik is now free to be selected in any squad of Pakistan team, but we want the players to follow discipline in future," Rizvi said. Also, Younis Khan's appeal against an indefinite ban was adjourned until June 9 to allow his laywer Mohammad Ahmed Qayyum more time to consult his client. Qayyum was not happy after the arbitrator did not allow two independent observers to sit in today's hearing. "It was my client's request that two observers should be allowed to sit in the hearing, but the arbitrator did not allow it.

"I did try to contact Younis but couldn't contact him on telephone." Qayyum said the proceedings were unnecessarily delayed and Younis was being victimised. Younis and another former captain Mohammad Yousuf were indefinitely banned by the PCB for an alleged infighting which disturbed the team on the Australian tour. The Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal and his younger brother Umar have sent requests to Qadir for adjournments in their hearings against fines.

The arbitrator said he wanted to wrap up the hearings of players as quickly as possible. Afridi was fined three million rupees ($35,200) for ball tampering during the one-day series against Australia. wicketkeeper Akmal was fined three million rupees ($35,200) and his younger brother Umar was handed fine of two million rupees (US$23,500) for ill discipline. *AP