Earlier in the week, Akhtar, who has shown a penchant for controversies since bursting onto the international stage with his express pace, stirred another storm in Pakistan after terming the Pentangular Cup in the country as Grade 'B' cricket.

He faces a life ban following his latest outburst which evoked anger among top officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board.

'This time he has gone too far. We had already issued a notice to him to explain his earlier statements against the policies of the Board. Now he will face more punitive action,' a senior PCB official said on condition of anonymity.

He made it clear that in the next few days, the Board will decide on banning Akhtar from the ongoing Pentangular Cup.

Akhtar had criticised the standard of the tournament and lashed out at the Board for providing dead Kookaburra balls and a flat pitch for the Federal Areas match against Punjab.

The official said Akhtar was already under a one-year probation period during which, if he indulged in any misconduct, he could face an automatic life ban.

Photograph: Arun Patil