A PCB appeals tribunal on Saturday lifted the one-year ban imposed on former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, clearing the decks for the controversial all-rounder's return to international cricket.
The one-man tribunal comprising retired judge Irfan Qadir also halved the Rs two million fine imposed on Malik by an inquiry committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board, PCB lawyer Talib Rizvi was quoted as saying in media reports here.
Malik, who got married to Indian tennis star Sania Mirza last month, was banned for indiscipline during Pakistan's disastrous tour of Australia during which the team was whitewashed in all three formats of the game.
The 28-year-old has already been included in the list of 35 probables for next month's Asia Cup and the tour of England after that.
Malik was accused of promoting infighting in the team and was even called a "termite" by one of the inquiry committee members during the initial hearings, the video recordings of which were leaked to the media a few days ago.
Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi is among those who is seen calling Malik a negative influence on the team in the leaked videos of the committee's proceedings.
Dhoni and Gambhir lead India to World Cup glory
Twenty-eight years on from the match that transformed the history of world cricket, India recaptured the crown that Kapil Dev and his men first lifted at Lord\'s in 1983, and this time they did so in their very own back yard.An iron-willed 97 from Gautam Gambhir was matched for intensity by the finest captain\'s innings since Ricky Ponting in Johannesburg eight years ago, as MS Dhoni trumped a poetic century from Mahela Jayawardene to pull off the highest run-chase ever achieved in a World Cup final.
India vs Australia
Indian cricketers celebrate their massive 99-run victory over Australia in the second ODI match at The Vidarbha Cricket Association, Jamtha Stadium in Nagpur on Wednesday, October 28, 2009.
Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni struck a breathtaking 124 as India put up an all-round display to crush Australia by 99 runs in the second one-dayer to level the seven-match series 1-1, here on Wednesday.
Srilanka beat India in Idea Tri-Nation Series in Bangladesh on January 13 2010
Historically, when it comes to finals of triangular tournaments, Sri Lanka have had the upper hand over India, who in the last decade succeeded in winning just four in 21 finals. A familiar tale panned out in Dhaka, where a frenetic start was followed by an enthralling finish and the result was yet another tournament win for Sri Lanka over India.
Zimbabwe vs Kenya
Charles Coventry congratulates Hamilton Masakadza who made 178 runs and the highest of zimbabwe against Kenya, Zimbabwe v Kenya, 5th ODI, Harare, October 18, 2009. Zimbabwe won the series 5-1.
Champion Trohpy
Australian team celebrates after winning the ICC Champions trophy on October 5, 2009 at the end of the ICC Champions Trophy final match against New Zealand at Supersport park cricket ground in Centurion in Sauth Africa
Champion Trohpy Final
Australia\'s Shane watson and James Hopes celebrates the victory over New Zealand during the ICC Champions Trophy\'s final match in Centurion
India became number one test team first time in the history of cricket
Indian cricketers pose for a team photo after winning on the final day of the third Test against Sri Lanka in Mumbai on Sunday, December 6, 2009. India won by an innings and 24 runs, clinching the 3-match Test series by 2-0. They also became the number one Test side for the first time in the history of cricket.
