Pakistani test bowler fined for ball-tampering

MULTAN, Nov 19 (Reuters) Pakistani paceman Mohammad Khalil has been fined for ball-tampering in a domestic first class match in Karachi, an official told Reuters today.

Khalil, who played in tests last year, was fined an undisclosed amount by the match referee after test umpires Shakeel Khan and Riazuddin changed the ball and penalized his team Zarai Taraqiati Bank five runs yesterday.

''The referee held a hearing and fined Khalil and his team,'' an official of opponents Pakistan Customs said by telephone.

In September, Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq was cleared of ball-tampering charges by the International Cricket Council (ICC) but banned for four one-dayers for bringing the game into disrepute.

The ban came after his team forfeited the Oval test against England in August as a protest against a decision by umpires Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove to penalize them five runs for alleged ball-tampering.

REUTERS PM ND1432