Shoaib pays dearly for violating PCB code of conduct

With the Pakistan Cricket Board deducting a Rs 7 million fine from his annual salary, controversial pacer Shoaib Akhtar was left with just $550 as match fees, bonus and contract fees in the year gone by.

"Yes, we have deducted the fine from his match fees, tour fees, central contract fees that was due to Shoaib for the year 2009," a PCB official said.

"But this amount was recovered in December and it is nothing new," media manager Nadeem Sarwar said.

Because of the decision to deduct the fine from his payments, Shoaib was left with earnings of just $550 as his match fees, bonuses and contract fees for the year 2009.

The controversial pacer, who has not played for his country since May, 2009 besides his match fees, bonuses also earns Rs 250,000 per month as salary for being in the top category of the central contracts given to players.

Shoaib does not feature in the new list of players who would be given central contracts for the year 2010.

Sarwar said the PCB decided to recover Rs 7 million fine after taking legal advice.

The appellate tribunal had recommended a ban of 18 months and the fine on Shoaib in June, 2008 while hearing his appeal against a five-year ban for several violations of the disciplinary code of conduct for players.

Shoaib went to the Lahore High Court in September, 2008 and appealed against the ban and fine.

The court suspended the ban allowing him to resume playing cricket at all levels but didn't give a ruling on the fine.

"But if the court eventually does give a ruling in his favour, then obviously the board will honor the ruling and return  the fine money to him," Sarwar said.

Shoaib played his first competitive match in 10 months last week in the National ODI tournament to revive his sagging career.

The 34-year old claims he is ready to make a comeback to the national team and wants to end his career with a bang.

The pacer has faced a host of problems since 2008 and was last year dropped at the last moment from Pakistan's Twenty20 squad because of a medical condition.

He has also undergone a knee surgery in England. The PCB refused to foot the bill for the surgery insisting that since he was not playing for Pakistan, Shoaib was not entitled to any medical cover from the board.