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The Pakistan Cricket Board has virtually brought an end to the career of the world's fastest bowler - Shoaib Akhtar with a five-year ban. This was a result of a Disciplinary Committee hearing that took place yesterday which was looking at the violation of the players' code of conduct. Leg Spinner Danish Kaneria was also called up by the Disciplinary Committee for the same allegations of violating the players' code of conduct. But he was severely reprimanded and not given any punishment as it was his first offence.

Shoaib Akhtar had openly criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board for the contracts system. The Rawalpindi Express was demoted to a retainership from a Category A contract. The PCB had offered 15 players with a Central Contract which doesn't include Shoaib Akhtar who has been in and out of the Pakistan team in the recent past owing to injuries, disciplinary problems and others. Shoaib had turned down the retainership given by the PCB. On the other hand, leg spinner Danish Kaneria had criticised the Board following his demotion from Category "B" to "C" through his column in his webpage.

Shoaib Akhtar started his career with a bang raising hopes of millions of Pakistani fans about being the next legend in the making. But at 32, with an international career that is as good as over, Shoaib has ended up with a moderate success of 178 and 219 wickets in Tests and ODIs respectively. The sad part is that Shoaib could play just the 46 Tests in a career spanning 11 years! He also played as few as 138 ODIs in the same amount of time! Shoaib's last international appearance was in December 2007 in India. Shoaib was as such facing a 2-year probation after hitting fellow fast bowler Mohammad Asif prior to the T20 World Cup in South Africa.

The only positive for Shoaib Akhtar right now is that he can go ahead and play in the Indian Premier League which starts from the 18th of this month. Shoaib was bought by the Kolkata Franchisee for USD 425,000. He however will not be eligible to represent Pakistan and also will be banned from participating in any official tournament that comes under the Pakistan Cricket Board for five years. Shoaib has reacted to the PCB announcement and is getting ready to fight it out in the court.

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