Karachi: Temperamental fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar could face a penalty between Rs 1 to 5 million and even a ban of upto seven matches if the disciplinary committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board finds him guilty of violating the players Code of Conduct.

Shoaib and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria are due to appear before the disciplinary committee tomorrow to respond to the charges of speaking out against the policies of the board and other violations of the code.

The board has authorised the disciplinary committee to clear or penalise the two players.

In the new central contracts given out to the players, the penalties for speaking out against the policies of the board include a fine of Rs 1 to 10 million, three penalty points in the contract and even a ban of one to seven matches.

Shoaib, however, has not been given a new central contract but instead offered a special retainer which he has refused to accept.

But a board official said even if a player was not contracted, the rules and regulations applied to him as he was paid and given bonuses as per the contract.

The board, in fact, has greatly increased the severity of its penalties for various counts of misconduct by players in the new contracts.

If a player fails to report for a fitness test or does not listen to the board and team directives, he can be fined Rs 200,000 to one million and banned for three to six matches.

The new contracts state that if a player is found guilty of ball tampering, gambling, betting or match-fixing, he can face a fine of maximum Rs 2 million and a ban of one to five matches. If the disciplinary committee feels a player's actions have been severe, there is a ban of five-year to life for him.

Similarly, if a player takes part in an unofficial tournament or event, he faces a fine of Rs 1 to 5 million and one to five years' ban.

Non-adherence to curfew timings can result in a fine of Rs 500,000 to one million. Even leaving a camp without permission has the same fine.

A severe punishment of a ban of one to seven matches and a fine of Rs 500,000 to 5 million has been kept for a player who defames the game and is found guilty of misconduct, while a ban of one to seven matches and a fine of Rs one to five lakhs is kept for players who misbehave with match or board officials.

Even missing international or domestic matches without a valid reason carries a penalty of Rs 1 to 5 million and a ban of three to six matches.

The board has also tightened its media policy for players.

A player who gives statements without permission of manager can be fined Rs 1 to 5 million and even inviting a mediaperson into a player's room without permission of the manager carries a similar penalty.

A player who gives interviews, writes columns or appears on television shows without clearance can have the same fine.

An interesting addition to the contracts is a deterrent for players who supposedly leak out team information and happenings to the media. Such a player can be fined Rs 1 to 5 million and be docked three penalty points.

Source : PTI