Afridi says punishment will have positive effect

Popular cricket allrounder Shahid Afridi said Monday punishment for "misconduct" would have a positive effect on his career and make him more responsible.

"I am satisfied that I didn't commit any mistake but I accept this punishment. It will have a positive effect on my career," Afridi told AFP. Afridi and two other players - Hasan Raza and Atiquz Zaman - were fined 50,000 rupees (900 dollars) and suspended for one tournament after women were found in their hotel room during a recent training camp.

"The board has accepted that there was no evidence of the incident and I maintain that nobody came in my room but punishments are for our betterment, to make us more responsible," he said.

Pakistan Cricket Board held an inquiry into the affair and its Chairman General Tauqir Zia decided to penalise the trio over the August 15 incident, board Director Yawar Saeed said.

"The inquiry team manager Brigadier Mohammad Nasir found the incident was grossly exaggerated as there was no evidence except that some female fans barged into the players' room," he said.

"The inquiry officer recommended the allegations be dismissed. However, the chairman considers that the players should have acted with more responsibility and prevented any unauthorized entry to their rooms," Saeed said.

Afridi, 20, who hit a world record century off 37 balls in a one-day international in Kenya three years ago, is one of the most pouplar cricketers in Pakistan and a hit with female fans.

"I understand that the board has taken this step to make us more cautious in future," he said.

Mail Cricket Editor