PTI

Karachi, Nov 19: The menace of ball tampering refuses to leave Pakistan cricket with former Test left-arm pacer Mohammad Khalil being fined for the offence in a domestic match between two top teams.

"The Match Referee slapped a fine on Khalil and his team after the umpires charged them with ball tampering during the match on Saturday," Pakistan Cricket Board official Colonel (retd) Naushad Ali said.

Umpires, Riazuddin and Shakil Khan changed the ball and penalised Agricultural Bank, for whom Khalil plays, five runs in the Patrons Trophy match against Customs after finding evidence that the left-hander was tampering with the condition of the ball.

"The umpires took their action according to the book and the referee has also acted accordingly," Naushad said.

Sources said Khalil and his team were fined Rs 30,000 in a hearing held here.

"Ball tampering is a major issue in our domestic cricket just like bowlers having problems with their actions. That is why we are coming down hard on both counts," another official said.

Last week the Pakistan Board suspended 41 bowlers from domestic cricket after they were reported by match officials for having suspect actions.

Naushad, who is also a regional development manager for the Board, said no ball tampering attempts would be tolerated in domestic cricket.

In the past Pakistani bowlers Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar have been penalised for ball tampering in international matches.