Shahid Afridi banned for ball tampering

Karachi:

Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi has apologised after he was found guilty of tampering the ball in the fifth and final ODI against Australia in Perth.

Speaking to NDTV about the incident, Afridi said, "I apologise for the mistake. I will ensure it doesn't happen again."

"It happened in the heat of the moment. It was a very close match," he added.

Afridi was banned for two Twenty20 Internationals after pleading guilty to a ball-tampering charge.

Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam had confirmed that Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle has banned Afridi for two matches after holding a hearing on the complaint by on-field umpires Asoka De Silva and Paul Reiffel immediately after the match.

"It is unfortunate what has happened because Afridi was due to lead Pakistan in the Twenty20 match next week against Australia," Alam said from Perth.

Afridi, who led Pakistan in the final ODI in place of the unfit Mohammad Yousuf, was caught on camera chewing on one side of the ball while walking to the run up with bowler Mohammad Asif.

Trying to change the condition of the ball through illegal means prompts strict penalties from the ICC.

In 2005, Afridi was banned for twisting his spikes and trying to change condition of pitch during a Test match in Faisalabad against England.