Lahore, Sep 29 : Controversial Pakistan bowler Shoaib Akhtar’s cricket career could be coming to a close.

It has been reliably learnt that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made up its mind on Akhtar’s future and final decision will be taken after a hearing on the sidelines of Pakistan-South Africa second Test in Lahore on October 6.

Sources said that the PCB disciplinary committee has received clear instructions from the President Pervez Musharraf, chief patron, that he should be penalised for his misbehaviour.

Shoaib not only faces action for assaulting Mohammad Asif with a bat, but also for holding a press conference on his return from South Africa.

Shoaib has been asked to explain his side of the story, even as he serves an indefinite ban for attack on Asif.

The PCB disciplinary committee, including Chief Operating Officer Shafqat Naghmi, Director Operations Zakir Khan, Director HR Nadeem Akram and Director Marketing Dr Ahsan Hameed, met here to discuss the charges against Shoaib, The Nation reported. (With inputs from ANI)