Cricket: Bismillah, Immad handed year-long bans

PCB imposes sanction after on-field brawl; players to challenge.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has imposed a one-year ban on Immad Ali of Sayid Papers Mill and KESC’s Bismillah Khan after the two were involved in a brawl during a Patron’s Trophy Grade II match on April 20.

The incident, which took place in Gujranwala, was immediately reported by the on-field umpires and match referee. Both have challenged the sanction and their appeal will be heard by a judicial commissioner to be appointed by the PCB.

Meanwhile, a PCB official said the punishment is likely to be reduced.  “The punishment might be reduced,” the official told The Express Tribune.“Their actions were inappropriate but they’ll get leniency. It’s just the PCB’s way of setting an example for others.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 1^st, 2012.