The Pakistan Cricket Board clarified that it has not imposed life bans on Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan.

And only barred them from playing for the country in all the formats of the game.

Hours after announcing punishment to players, PCB issued a fresh release saying media mis-interpreted its statement.

Yousuf, Younus banned for life

"PCB today issued a media release on the report of inquiry committee on Pakistan team's performance. Some media channels have interpreted the first recommendation of the inquiry committee regarding Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan as being a life ban.

"PCB wishes to clarify that the recommendation of the Committee is not a life ban on these cricketers. There is no specified term in the recommendation for these two players.

"As and when the PCB deems appropriate, these players will be considered for selection for the national team," the new statement said.

The punishment meted out to players on Wednesday created a furore in country's cricket circle as it was for the first time that such a harsh stand has been taken by the Board against the players.

Apart from barring Yousuf and Younus, Shoaib Malik and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan were handed out one-year bans.

Kamran and Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi were put under six-month probation and were also fined for indiscipline during the Australian tour.

Former captain Rashid Latif blasted the cricket board for mis-handling the whole issue.

"I don't understand this why did it take them so long to realise this technical hitch in the statement. Why didn't the PCB officials in the first instance clarify that there was no life ban on the two players?," Latif asked.

Meanwhile highly placed sources said the PCB Chairman may soon come under pressure from influential quarters for handing out this hard punishment to players.

"It is not uncommon in Pakistan cricket for this to happen where political influence also results to appointments in the board and even in team selection," one source said.

The Chairman of the National Assembly standing committee on sports Jamshed Dasti also lashed out at PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt for creating confusion.

"This latest episode shows the mismanagement in the Board and proves Butt can't handle pressure. We will call him and other officials next week and find out details of this latest incident which is bad for the image of Pakistan cricket," Dasti said.

"Once a decision is taken the board should stick to it," he said.