LAHORE, May 14: Pakistani cricket managers suspended today a two-year ban on Test cricketer Aamir Sohail but fined him 50,000 rupees ($ 1,250), officials said.

The council of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) suspended the penalty imposed by it in April on charges of indiscipline against Sohail after the player submitted a written apology last week, Board officials said.

Sohail has been asked to reappear before the PCB disciplinary committee to explain his match-fixing and betting accusations against teammates which had triggered the harsh action, they said.

The council has practically lifted the ban and the call for Sohail to appear before the committee ``is only a face-saving move,'' said a PCB source.

There is no restriction on Sohail now but it is up to the PCB selection committee to select him for any match, a PCB official said.

The decision followed intervention by an aide to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after wide criticism of the action against the former captain.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.