Agressive Munaf fined for 'indiscipline'

Vadodara, Sep 27 (UNI) The BCCI today fined Rest of India pacer Munaf Patel 75 per cent of his match fees for being involved in an on-field verbal duel with Delhi skipper Virendra Sehwag during the prestigious Irani Trophy match here.

Yesterday, Sehwag suddenly left for Delhi in the midst of the Irani Trophy match after lodging an official complaint with the match referee Ravinder Jadeja against Munaf.

In a hearing today, the match referee found Munaf guilty of indiscipline and fined him 75 per cent of his match fees, and served him with a severe reprimand.

The altercation took place on the second day, when Munaf abused Delhi opener Aakash Chopra during Delhi's first innings. When Sehwag intervened, Munaf also abused him, which prompted the star batsman to lodge a complainst.

It can be recalled that Munaf was earlier fined 75 per cent of his match fees in a One-day international during the recent tour of Sri Lanka.

However, Indian coach Gary Kirsten was quoted as saying by a private website, ''The fact that Sehwag had lodged an official complaint wouldn't disturb the relationship between the two individuals.'' Indian fans would be hoping that this controversy would be resolved before the crucial home series against Australia, which gets underway from October 9 in Bangalore.

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