Pakistan opener Farhat fined for dissent

KARACHI, May 12 (Reuters) The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has launched its zero tolerance policy on indiscipline by fining Imran Farhat and placing him on probation for six months after the opener expressed his dissent at the national selectors.

The board acted after the 24-year-old Farhat telephoned chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed to complain about his omission from this month's one-day series against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi.

Salahuddin, a former test player, filed a written complaint to the board in which he explained that Farhat's father-in-law had also voiced his displeasure with the selectors' decision in person.

''Farhat will be fined 50 percent of his match fee when he next plays for Pakistan,'' PCB director of cricket operations Zakir Khan told Reuters today.

''He has also been put on a six-month probationary period, in which his behaviour and attitude would be closely monitored,'' he added.

Farhat who has appeared in 27 tests and 33 one-day internationals later apologised to the board and selectors for his behaviour.

''We took a lenient attitude with him this time because of his past record and apology, but the board is firm on having a zero tolerance policy on players indulging in indiscipline or dissent with officials,'' Khan said.

The Pakistan squad departs on Wednesday for the three matches against the World Cup finalists on May 18, 20 and 22.

REUTERS SAM RK1320