The Pakistan Cricket Board has stood by the heavy sanctions it handed down against seven players last week despite team manager Abdul Raquib denying he had complained about indiscipline during the recent tours of New Zealand and Australia.
The PCB banned former captains Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan indefinitely, suspended another former captain, Shoaib Malik, and fast bowler Rana Naved-ul Hasan for a period of one year and handed out heavy fines to wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, his brother Umar and Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi.
The punishments were based on the recommendations of an inquiry committee which was constituted to probe the reasons for Pakistan's debacle in the series against Australia.
Raquib, who was among those who had deposed before the panel, indicated he was baffled by the PCB's stringent action.
"I never reported Mohammad Yousuf, Younus Khan, Shoaib Malik, Rana Naved or Kamran Akmal for any disciplinary problems in my tour report," Raquib told Pakistani sports TV channel Geo Super.
"I don't know on what basis the board has taken such strong action against these players but it seems to me that the board is perhaps settling personal scores or simply taking out their frustration on these players."
The PCB, however, has refuted those claims and has indicated that much of its action against the players was made on the basis of Raquib's testimony.
"It is disappointing to note that Mr Raquib has chosen to deny what is already well recorded and documented," the PCB said in a statement.
"Raquib had stated in his manager's report that when Younus Khan decided to drop Mohammad Yousuf for the second ODI against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi, it led to a series of events that ultimately forced Younus Khan to resign."
"Raquib's tour report clearly mentioned that when Yousuf was told he was dropped on account of his poor fielding Yousuf curtly replied 'I have been fielding like this for the last seven years'."
"He publicly argued with the team coach and the resulting disquiet in the team led to the dropping of Shoaib Malik and Umar Akmal."
"Raquib stated that it was in the backdrop of these events that team unity completely broke down and eventually Younus resigned from the captaincy."
"Raquib has also admitted he was unable to take any corrective action and remained totally helpless to arrest the sharply falling team morale in during these events."
The PCB has refused to reveal the contents of the inquiry committee's report, but said Raquib had repeated his complaints made in the tour report to the inquiry committee.
The PCB said Raquib had mentioned in his reports that Kamran's decision to speak to the press in defiance of being dropped for the final Test against Australia had constituted a clear breach of the players' code of conduct.
Umar Akmal too was found to be guilty of the same offence, the PCB said.
The PCB revealed Raquib also reported an altercation between Yousuf and coach Intikhab Alam after the fifth and final ODI against Australia.
Afridi, who captained the team for that game, made two changes to the team, dropping Younis and Malik. Afridi was caught on television cameras tampering with the ball during that ODI.
The PCB, meanwhile, has formed a three-member panel to hear appeals of the seven players against whom penalties have been imposed.
The panel comprises three retired judges - Jamshed Ali Shah, Irfan Qadir and Munir A Sheikh.
It is unclear if any of the players will appeal.