ABU DHABI // The UAE international Saqib Ali faces a lengthy ban from the game after an altercation and an attempted assault on umpire Mohammed Asif in the United Bank Limited Twenty20 semi-final on Tuesday. Saqib was immediately banned from playing in Wednesday's final but despite his absence, the UAE Exchange Centre won by 97 runs against the Fortune Group at the Zayed Stadium.
Saqib had a heated argument with Asif, who was standing at square leg, after an appeal against batsman Naeemullah Khan for a catch behind by the wicketkeeper Indika Sampath was turned down by the head umpire. Saqib then grabbed a bail and threw it at Asif, which instead hit a teammate before being hauled away by teammates. Wajahat Husain, the new president of the Abu Dhabi Cricket Council, said: "We do not tolerate such on-field behaviour from any player and Saqib will face severe charges if found guilty. Saqib will be summoned for a hearing before a disciplinary committee meeting shortly.
"We suspended him from playing in the UBL Twenty20 final played a day later of the incident. And we will take all the necessary disciplinary against him after the hearing from all those concerned in that incident." Saqib, 31, is one of the finest all-rounders of the UAE and was a key member of the ICC World Cup qualifier in South Africa in April. He made his debut for the UAE in 2006 and scored his maiden first-class century against Scotland in Sharjah.
apassela@thenational.ae
