The incident was brought to the attention of the third umpire Gamini Silva after television pictures showed close-up shots of Akhtar apparently scratching the quarter seam of the ball.

Akhtar was called for a hearing after an official inquiry by match referee Gundappa Viswanath.

Viswanath, who had requested television evidence after the match, said he would announce his decision at 0630 GMT on Wednesday.

"The umpires advised me to view television clippings, believing that the condition of the ball may have been changed," Viswanath said after the one-hour hearing.

"I will make my decision tomorrow," he added.

Akhtar, who took 3-36 from 9.1 overs, had produced a match-winning spell that saw six New Zealand wickets tumble for 21 runs.

Breaking Law 42.3, which refers to changing the condition of the match ball, is a Level Two offence according to International Cricket Council's code of conduct.

But because Akhtar has been charged with a Level Two offence during the past 12 months, when he threw a bottle into the crowd during Pakistan's tour to Zimbabwe in October 2002, ball tampering would be deemed a Level Three offence.

This would mean a minimum match ban of four one-day internationals and a maximum ban of eight matches.

Share your comments

What do you think about the story? Read what others have to say: Number of User Comments: 34 Sub: Views It is not for the first time trhat Shoib is repoted for tempering the ball. but what was the outcome of previous illegations. I think ... Posted by Iqbal Sub: Umpteenth time pakis doing This is not the first time a pakistani player has done.They are masters doing this type of thing.He will be funished for life. Posted by haranatha reddy Sub: Strict Action against Akhtar... Akhtar has proved again and again that he is unfit for Gentle mans's game. Its high time that cricketing authorities take a strict action against ... Posted by Wajid Sub: no new thing for pakistan team Ball Tampering is not a new thing for Pakistan team there has been many instances of ball tampering previously but either they have been just ... Posted by Mihir Vaidya Sub: Ball Tampering Isnt it ironical that this news comes just a day after Rediff interviews his mentor on his ball chucking. This is not the first time ... Posted by Vivek