Lahore, Apr 30: Jutifying the IPL ban on Harbhajan Singh, former captain Wasim Akram said the temparamental off-spinner needs to improve his image as an international cricketer.

''He (Harbhajan) needs to understand that such kind of behaviour will not serve him right in the long run. Maybe, he is under some kind of pressure or something,'' Akram told Mobile ESPN. ''Harbhajan is no spring chicken. He is a senior member of the Indian team and must behave like one,'' Akram strongly condemned Harbahajn for physically assualting Sreesanth, saying Harbhajan had committed a mistake by physically assaulting Sreesanth and he got paid for it.

''Going by the reports in the media, Harbhajan has committed a grave mistake, there is no denying that. You just can't slap anyone.

IPL have taken the right step by banning him,'' he remarked.

''Everyone knows what happened to Shoaib Akhtar after his brawl with Mohammad Asif.'' The former pace spearhead said the Board of Control for Cricket in India supported Harbhajan during the Sydney controversy, has been in the wrong this time round.

''Bhajji had the support of the entire nation when he was in Australia because he was right. Even the BCCI supported him, but this time he is in the wrong. Bhajji has to improve his image as a cricketer. He is talented and well behaved, but all of a sudden, he goes haywire,' Akram stated.

UNI