Ban on Younis Khan lifted

Islamabad - The indefinite ban on former Pakistan captain Younis Khan was lifted on Saturday, and a fine on current captain Shahid Afridi was revoked.

"I have set aside the ban on Younis," Pakistan Cricket Board arbitrator Irfan Qadir told reporters in the eastern city of Lahore after the hearing.

Qadir said the PCB had already reconsidered Younis for future tours by naming him in a list of 35 probables, therefore there was no reason to keep an indefinite ban on the former captain.

The PCB imposed the ban in March for Younis' alleged infighting with another former captain Mohammad Yousuf during the winless tour of Australia early this year.

Younis was not considered for this month's Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, but it is likely he will be included in the team for the twin Test series against Australia and England in July.

Qadir also revoked a three million rupees ($35 000) fine on Afridi for ball tampering during the one-day series against Australia earlier this year.

Afridi had already served an International Cricket Council ban of two Twenty20 internationals after he was caught biting the ball during a one-dayer in Perth.

Qadir said the ICC had told the PCB that Afridi could not be punished for the second time as he had already served one punishment.

"Today, Afridi was candid enough to accept his mistake," Qadir said.

"He did it (ball tampering) in patriotism, but it brought bad name to the country."

The Akmal brothers Kamran and Umar were fined three million rupees ($35 000) and two million rupees ($23 500) respectively for their indiscipline during the Australia tour. Qadir reduced fines on both brothers to rupees one million ($11 750).

"The PCB had accepted to reduce the fine to 50% on Kamran, but I brought it down because I feel all players should be treated at par," Qadir said.

Last week, Qadir lifted a one-year ban on another former captain Shoaib Malik and his fine of two million rupees ($23 500) was also halved. Malik was then included in the team for the Asia Cup.

Qadir said player behavior must not lapse in future.

"I have noticed that players realized they would maintain discipline and I am sure Pakistan will perform better in the upcoming matches," he said.

Rana Naved's appeal against a one-year ban and fine of rupees two million ($23 500) will be heard on June 19 and Qadir said he would be treated the same as the others, indicating a likely rescinding of the ban and halving of the fine.

Yousuf was the only player who did not file an appeal against an indefinite ban and later retired from international cricket.

However Qadir said his ban should still be considered for the record.