DAMBULLA - New Zealand have won round one of the tri-nations pre-final joust after Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar was last night banned for two matches for ball tampering.
Akhtar was also fined 75 per cent of his match fee by Indian match referee Gundappa Viswanath after being caught by television cameras
gouging the ball with his thumbnail during Tuesday's 22-run win over New Zealand.
Akhtar was defiant to the end as he pleaded not guilty to the charge, arguing he was only trying to clean dirt off the ball during his spell of three for 36 off 9.1 overs.
The ban takes effect immediately, ruling the controversial paceman out of tomorrow night's final against New Zealand in Dambulla.
The New Zealand players took a keen interest in Akhtar's hearing after training yesterday, but captain Stephen Fleming did not want to inflame the situation and gave little comment when asked for his reaction.
"We saw it on TV . . . but it was out of our hands," was all he said.
It will provide a huge boost to New Zealand's chances tomorrow. Akhtar has twice destroyed New Zealand with six-wicket hauls in one-day internationals, in Auckland two years ago and in Karachi last year.
Coupled with an encouraging injury report which should see in-form allrounder Jacob Oram fit for selection, it was a good day for the tourists.
Akhtar, though, may have got off lightly considering his recent disciplinary record, which included an official warning for ball tampering in Zimbabwe late last year, the same series in which Akhtar was banned for one match after throwing a plastic bottle at a spectator.
The bottle-throwing apparently was not taken into account, given it was a different offence, although still a breach of level two of the players' code of conduct.
Akhtar had little defence against yesterday's charge which was brought by umpires Daryl Harper, of Australia, and Peter Manuel, of Sri Lanka, after being alerted by third umpire Gamini Silva.
Television close-ups twice showed Akhtar working at the ball in an apparent bid to enhance his reverse swing, a clear breach of law 42.3 which forbids altering the condition of the ball.
Viswanath said it was in defiance of the pre-tournament meeting which made it clear any ball tampering would be dealt with harshly.
"It is unfair to attempt to gain any advantage by altering the condition of the ball, apart from the traditional method of polishing, or drying a wet ball," Viswanath said.
"These issues were reinforced at a pre-series meeting ... I consider this offence to be of a serious nature and the penalty imposed reflects that."
Pakistan manager Haroon Rashid said Akhtar was adamant he was innocent.
"He's disappointed, that's a natural reaction, but he has to accept the decision. He had a fair hearing."
Harper apparently contested Akhtar's argument that he was only trying to clean the ball, because on closer inspection there were visible gouge marks.
Akhtar, whose dubious slinging action has constantly come under the microscope, has had some of his biggest highs and desperate lows against New Zealand.
On Pakistan's last tour of New Zealand two years ago, he was sent home after the one-day series when his action was reported to the ICC.
He required a written report from a biomechanist, which confirmed he was physically unable to straighten his bowling elbow, before he could resume his international career.
Allegations of ball tampering have been levelled at some of the game's top players, including Indian great Sachin Tendulkar, Pakistan's Waqar Younis and England's Michael Atherton.
New Zealand, meanwhile, had no such dramas as they counted the walking wounded from Tuesday's match.
Oram and fellow allrounder Andre Adams were still in the worst shape, with back and shoulder problems respectively.
Physiotherapist Dayle Shackel said both would have to bowl at least five overs off a full run today to be passed fit.
Oram, though, said he was confident of doing this after bowling four overs off a short run yesterday.
He would come in for Paul Wiseman in the only likely change from Tuesday's side.
Shackel said Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent and Scott Styris were all out of danger after suffering injuries.
Vettori, who took his seventh wicket from two matches, was showing little ill-effects from heavy bruising to his right knee.
Vincent was moving freely after suffering a hamstring twinge. Styris had finger bruising and a ripped nail, but escaped any fractures.
DAMBULLA - New Zealand have won round one of the tri-nations pre-final joust after Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar was last night banned for two matches for ball tampering.
Akhtar was also fined 75 per cent of his match fee by Indian match referee Gundappa Viswanath after being caught by television cameras
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