ICC slaps two match ban on Afridi for ball tampering

Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi was on Sunday banned for two Twenty20 Internationals after pleading guilty to a ball-tampering charge during the fifth and final ODI against Australia in Perth.

Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam confirmed that Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle has banned Afridi for two matches after holding a hearing on the complaint by on-field umpires Asoka De Silva and Paul Reiffel immediately after the match.

"It is unfortunate what has happened because Afridi was due to lead Pakistan in the Twenty20 match next week against Australia," Alam said from Perth.

Ball-tampering normally results from fingernails being run down the seam but Afridi, for reasons only he could explain, seemed intent on putting the entire ball in his mouth.

In even more drama, a spectator ran onto the field and tackled Pakistan player Khalid Latif during the 46th over. The spectator was frog-marched off the WACA Ground as a crowd of 14,000 unleashed jeers and boos.

Trying to change the condition of the ball through illegal means prompts strict penalties from the ICC.

In 2005, Afridi was banned for twisting his spikes and trying to change condition of pitch during a Test match in Faisalabad against England.