London, Oct 22: Pakistan bowler Shoaib Akhtar will miss one test match and two one-day internationals following a decision today by ICC Code of Conduct Commissioner Richie Benaud to reject his appeal against a ban imposed by Clive Lloyd. The decision means that Akhtar will not be eligible for his side's second Test against South Africa starting in Faisalabad on Friday.
Akhtar was banned by International Cricket Council match referee Clive Lloyd for using foul language against South African tail-ender Paul Adams during the first day of the first Test in Lahore last Friday.
Dismissing the appeal, the former Australia captain Benaud endorsed the manner in which ICC match referee Lloyd had conducted the hearing.
"In my view, the reason for the implementing of the ICC code, is so captains in particular and players in general, will embrace the preamble to the laws of cricket, which makes quite clear what is required of them on the field," said Benaud in his judgement.
"The appeal I am asked to determine relates to the sentence imposed by Lloyd, not to the actual offence.
"It seems to me that Lloyd correctly followed the Code of Conduct rules in every way after Shoaib Akhtar accepted, and said, he was guilty.
Bureau Report