CricketViewer.com

The menace of ball tampering refuses to leave Pakistan cricket as former Test left-arm pacer Mohammad Khalil was fined for the offence in a domestic match between two top teams here on Sunday.

“The Match Referee (Khalid Niazi) slapped a fine on Khalil and his team after the umpires charged them with ball tampering during the match on Saturday,” PCB official Colonel (retd) Naushad Ali said.

Umpires Riazuddin and Shakeel Khan changed the ball and penalised Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL), for whom Khalil plays, five runs in the Patron’s Trophy Cricket Championship match against Pakistan Customs, here at the NBP Sports Complex Stadium, after finding evidence that the left-hander was tampering with the condition of the ball.

“The umpires took their action according to the book and the referee has also acted accordingly,” Naushad said. Sources said Khalil and his team were fined Rs 30,000 in a hearing held here.

“Ball tampering is a major issue in our domestic cricket just like bowlers having problems with their actions,” another official said.

Last week the Pakistan Board suspended 41 bowlers from domestic cricket after they were reported by match officials for having suspect actions. Naushad, who is also a regional development manager for the Board, said no ball tampering attempts would be tolerated in domestic cricket.

The 24-year-old Khalil from Lahore appeared in two Tests and three One-day Internationals for Pakistan until last year.

Source:The News