Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan Banned For Lifetime

The Pakistan Cricket Board has barred former captains Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan from the national team indefinitely for behavior they say contributed to Pakistan's poor performance on its recent tour of Australia.

The PCB on Wednesday also imposed one-year bans on Shoaib Malik and Rana Naved after implementing the recommendations of an inquiry committee formed to evaluate Pakistan's dismal performance against Australia in December and January.

"Younis and Yousuf both cannot represent Pakistan in any international games, but they can play in domestic cricket and compete in county cricket," PCB legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi told the Associated Press.

Both Yousuf and Younis were involved in infighting while on tour, which resulted in bringing down the whole team, the PCB said in a statement.

"Their attitude has a trickle down effect which is a bad influence for the whole team," it said.

Malik and Naved were also fined two million rupees (US$23,500), wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal was handed a fine of three million rupees (US$35,200) and Umar Akmal, younger brother of Kamran, was fined two million rupees (US$23,500).

Shahid Afridi was fined 3 million rupees (US$35,200) for ball tampering during the one-day series against Australia.

Afridi and both Akmal brothers will be on a probation of six months during which their conduct will be strictly monitored, the PCB said in a statement.

The inquiry committee comprised PCB chief operating officer Wasim Bari, board member Wazir Ali Khoja, director of cricket operations Zakir Khan, team manager Yawar Saeed and Rizvi.