1.4.2008
Pic by - Johann J (SNNI)


Karachi - Agencies, From a sensational debut as the world's fastest bowler to being banned for violations ranging from drug abuse to never-ending run-ins with authorities,

Shoaib Akhtar has seen it all and today's five-year ban may just be the final chapter of his chequered career.

The 32-year-old 'Rawalpindi Express' was handed a five year-ban by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for violating the players' code of conduct. A look at his decade-long career reveals not just disciplinary transgressions, but a controversial bowling action and a tendency to be at the wrong side of the rules almost always. His controversial action was the first reason that got him adverse spotlight. The mercurial pacer was sending down one screamer after another before being banned for an illegal action in December 1999.

He came back with an improved arm movement but was banned again for suspect deliveries in January 2001. However, he once again showed resilience to bounce back

but his infamous temper got the better of him the very next year when he threw a bottle at spectators during Pakistan's tour of Zimbabwe to be slapped with a one-ODI ban and a hefty fine.

His run-ins with authorities didn't stop at that, the flamboyant bowler was at it again the very next month as he was found guilty of ball-tampering resulting in a one-Test

suspended ban. In May 2003, just months after the first ban, Shoaib was found tampering the ball yet again during Pakistan's tour of Sri Lanka and was banned for two ODIs. Refusing to learn from mistakes, Shoaib was banned and fined several times for on-field showdowns but October 2006 was perhaps the one of the darkest chapters of his life when he tested positive for performance enhancing drug nandrolone.

The ensuing two-year ban was eventually lifted after Shoaib appealed but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) came out with a damning report on the pacer's disciplinary record that dented his already tattered reputation even more. Exactly a year later, Shoaib was put on a two-year probation after for five-disciplinary breaches.

These included hitting fellow pacer Mohd Asif on the thigh during the tour of South Africa. However, far from being mellowed by it, Shoaib went on the offensive and criticised the PCB for coming out with, what he described as an unfair contract system. The board was in no mood to forgive and forget this time and it resulted in the five-year ban.