A further tribunal hearing will be held in June and the three-man committee stated that they were of the view that they would not suspend Shoaib’s ban because he is still free to play anywhere else in the world outside of Pakistan. However, most respecting authorities will choose to endorse the PCB’s actions as the IPL have done.

His $425,000 contract with the Kolkata Knight Riders is now in jeopardy and it is unlikely he will play in the Indian Cricket League as their bosses are seeking to be recognised as an official event and allowing a banned player into their competition would not help their case.

Shoaib must now hope that the June hearing will bring a different outcome, while he has already promised to challenge the ban at Supreme and High Court levels.

“As far as the appellant is concerned, he has not learned his lessons and continues to flout discipline,” a statement from the committee said.

“Apparently he has harmed the Chairman of the PCB, the PCB, his fellow cricketers and the nation.

“Team spirit id one for all and all for one and he has not demonstrated such spirit.”

Shoaib, in his defence, had apologised to the PCB Chairman Nasim Ashraf and also promised to improve his behaviour.

“I would like to apologize from the bottom of my heart for any grief and embarrassment that I may have caused to the nation, my team and the PCB, particularly the chairman Dr. Nasim Ashraf for levelling unsubstantiated allegations against him.

“I have resolved to alter my habits and to restrain myself from any future such incidents. I will submit to the authority of the Board and will accept the discipline imposed by the Board.”

Shoaib, one of the fastest bowlers in the world during his ten-year Pakistan career, has been troubled by injuries and controversies for much of his career. He said in December after the India tour, when he was Pakistan’s best bowler, that he intended to play until the 2011 World Cup in the sub-continent.