Waqar suspended for ball-tampering

Waqar: first player to be banned for ball-tampering

Pakistani fast bowler Waqar Younis has been suspended for one game after being found guilty of ball-tampering during the Singer Cup one-day series in Sri Lanka.

Waqar, the first player to be banned for the offence, has also been fined 50% of his match fee for lifting the seam off the ball during Saturday's game against South Africa in Colombo.

Pakistani captain Moin Khan and all-rounder Azhar Mahmood were also hauled up by tournament referee John Reid of New Zealand in connection with the ball-tampering offence.

According to a statement released on Reid's behalf by the Sri Lankan Cricket Board, Mahmood was fined 30% of his fees and Moin severely reprimanded for "allowing the spirit of the game to be impaired".

Laws

Reid said the players had contravened the laws and spirit of the game after both Waqar and Mahmood were caught on television tampering with the ball.

Waqar received a heavier penalty than Mahmood because he had been warned for a similar offence by Reid during the third Test against Sri Lanka at Kandy last week.

The one-match ban means Pakistan were without their most experienced bowler for the key match against Sri Lanka on Sunday.

Moin Khan has been severely reprimanded for allowing the spirit of the game to be impaired

  John Reid

But Waqar will be allowed to return for Pakistan's last league match against South Africa.

Reid summoned Pakistani team manager Mohammad Nazir, coach Javed Miandad and Moin this morning and informed them of his decisions.

"The referee considered that the incident, which was clearly visible on television, was very serious," the statement said.

Suspension

"Waqar Younis was fined 50% of his match fee and given a one one-day international match suspension effective immediately.

"Azhar Mahmood has been fined 30% of his match fee.

"Moin Khan, the Pakistani captain, who is responsible for his team's actions on the field has been severely reprimanded for allowing the spirit of the game to be impaired," the statement said.

Waqar and the other players refused to speak but team manager Nazir said the "boys were obviously very shocked".

He added there would be no appeal.