Pakistan star Afridi banned after biting ball

Pakistan's Shahid Afridi has been banned for two Twenty20 internationals after being caught up in a ball-tampering row during his team's defeat in Sunday's final one-dayer against Australia.

Afridi, who was captaining Pakistan in the absence of Mohammad Yousuf, was caught on TV cameras apparently biting the ball in the match at the WACA in Perth where Australia completed a 5-0 whitewash of the one-day series.

"Shahid Afridi has been banned for two T20Is after the incident," a Pakistan team official told the www.cricinfo.com website. "He pleaded guilty to the charge."

Afridi, who captains the Pakistan side in Twenty20 cricket, will miss the match against Australia on February 5 as well as the first of two matches against England in Dubai on February 19.

The International Cricket Council confirmed that Afridi had received two suspension points after breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the game.

Two suspension points in the code means a ban of a Test, two ODIs or two T20Is.

Shahid was charged with an article 2.2.9 offence of the ICC Code of Conduct which relates to "changing the condition of the ball in breach of Law 42.3 of the Laws of Cricket".

The charge was laid by on-field umpires Asoka de Silva and Paul Reiffel, as well as third umpire Rod Tucker and fourth official Mick Martell.

Match referee Ranjan Madugalle handed Afridi the maximum penalty under the provision of the code.

"I imposed the maximum penalty under the code to Shahid and reminded him of his responsibilities as a national captain which is to ensure that the match is played according to the laws of the game and in the spirit in which it is intended to be played," said Madugalle.

"Shahid, when pleading guilty, apologised and regretted his actions."