Pakistan's Akhtar, Riaz fined for indiscipline

The Pakistan cricket team management has fined fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Wahab Riaz for breach of discipline ahead of the ICC World Cup 2011, which starts from February 19.

Pacers Akhtar and Riaz were fined 5,000 rupees each for violating discipline, The Nation quoted sources, as saying.

This is not for the first time that 35-year-old Akhtar has been penalised for indiscipline, in fact his career has been full of such controversies.

However, the Rawalpindi Express had expressed his resolve the other day to make this World Cup the most memorable one for him, as this would be his last appearance in the mega event. But this incident would not help his cause a great deal.

On the other hand, Riaz has been fined for the first time for any indiscipline, and this may be a warning for him to become a disciplined and professional cricketer.

Pakistan face England in a practice match in the Bangladeshi town of Fatullah on Friday, where the ageing Akhtar needs to perform to show his fitness level, before Pakistan's World Cup opener against Kenya on February 23.