Two-year Aamir ban

The Pakistan opener Aamir Sohail, who has played in 34 Tests, was banned from international and domestic matches for two years by the Pakistan Cricket Board yesterday.

The PCB disciplinary committee chairman, Talat Ali Malik, said Aamir was guilty of violating its code of conduct by levelling "baseless charges of match-fixing and betting" against some national team members.

"We gave him enough time to provide solid proof but he was not willing to co-operate," Malik added. Aamir described it as an "act of victimisation. It was expected. It is aimed to ruin my career. But I am not worried at all." Aamir can appeal within the next 60 days.

Mark Taylor is set to retain the Australian captaincy for this summer's Ashes tour, despite his continued poor form with the bat. He was told yesterday by the Australian Cricket Board that his position is safe. The rest of the Australian squad will be announced today.

Ashley Giles, Warwickshire's left-arm spinner, and the Yorkshire all- rounder Craig White have withdrawn from the England A versus The Rest game starting at Edgbaston tomorrow. Giles suffered a recurrence of a knee injury and is replaced in the A side by Peter Such of Essex; White has a shoulder injury and his place in the Rest is taken by Ben Hollioake, younger brother of A team captain, Adam.