Akhtar handed 13 match ban

Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been banned for 13 matches as a result of a dressing room altercation early last month in South Africa.

Akhtar was sent home in controversial circumstances from the Twenty20 World Championships when he hit team-mate Mohammad Asif with a bat. The promising youngster suffered a bruised thigh as a result of the incident.

Today a PCB committee came down strongly on the wayward bowler, handing him a 13 match ban and 3.4 million rupee fine.

Akhtar, who faces a life ban if he commits any further indiscretions, has chosen not to appeal the sentence.