Pakistani Cricketers Yousuf and Younis given life bans

Pakistan Cricket Board shocked millions of cricket fans worldwide by imposing life bans on former captains Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan.

After a dismal performance in Australia, where Pakistan lost in all three formats of the game, 5-days, one day internationals and 20-20, it was widely expected that PCB would take some harsh steps. An inquiry committee headed by Wasim Bari was set up to probe the reasons. It’s believed that the committee led by Wasim Bari came down hard on the players and recommended their bans.

Apart from Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan have been given one year bans. The Akmal brothers, Kamran and Umar, as well as Afridi have been put on probation for six months. These five have also been imposed a fine of Rs. 2-3 million each.

World Twenty20 Championship, which Pakistan won last year, is scheduled from April-May 2010. An initial team of 15 cricketers was expected to be picked by month end in Pakistan, but the recent developments will lead to serious concerns on the quality of team.

IPL Cricket 2010 is to be held in India from March 12th, but none of the Pakistani cricketers are part of it.