Akhtar's disciplinary hearing on April 1

Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will face a disciplinary committee on April 1 and could be handed a life ban for breaching the Pakistan Cricket Board's Code of Conduct. Legspinner Danish Kaneria will also face the committee after his criticism of the board's central contracts policy.

"I can confirm that the hearing will be conducted in Rawalpindi on April 1," head of the five-man committee, retired lieutenant-general Muneer Hafeez told AFP. Shoaib has also reportedly confirmed he would appear before the committee to present his case.

Shoaib is on a two-year probation and if found guilty of violating the PCB code, could face a life ban. Last month he accused the PCB of double standards over the awarding of central contracts to players and criticised the facilities provided during a first-class match. He was not offered a central contract after a year plagued by injuries.

In October last year, Shoaib was fined Rs 3.4 million (US$52,000 dollars) and banned for 13 matches for hitting his team-mate Mohammad Asif with a bat, just days before the start of the ICC World Twenty20.

He was also dropped from the 16-member squad to face Bangladesh in a five-ODI series at home, starting April 8.