Hameed fined, banned by the PCB

Hameed’s ill-advise­d interv­iew last year not only led to his axing but also a fine and a ban.

LAHORE:

Pakistan’s discarded opener Yasir Hameed has been fined Rs300,000 and banned for the remainder of the domestic season by the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Integrity Committee for breaching the code of conduct during the team’s tour of England last year.

Hameed appeared before the committee last December and submitted an unconditional apology for his rash interview with The News of The World in which he accused teammates of throwing matches for money.

In the sting operation by the British tabloid, he was seen discussing the fall-out from the Lord’s spot-fixing controversy and, among other things, an approach by a bookie during the 2004 Champions Trophy in England.

“I knew I will be facing the penalty,” Hameed told The Express Tribune. “I am disappointment by the board’s action as I had submitted an unconditional apology to the board but I had a feeling that the PCB won’t spare. Hence, the fine and the season-long ban that has been placed.”

Hameed, who last played for Pakistan on the ill-fated tour, was shown speaking casually about the case against the Pakistan team and went further, claiming that he had lost his place in the team because he had refused to become involved in match-fixing along with other players.

The disappointed opener, however, was dejected by the PCB’s decision and wanted to put the whole episode behind him and concentrate
on returning to the playing-eleven.

“It’s really disappointing for me as I am hungry to play cricket and want to represent Pakistan once again. I accept the punishment and really want to move ahead.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 25th, 2011.