Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was on Wednesday handed a two-match ban for ball tampering.

Akhtar was reported to International Cricket Council match referee Gundappa Vishwanath after the one-day international against New Zealand in Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

Third umpire Gamini Silva of Sri Lanka noticed him scratching the quarter seam of the ball on television replays and brought it to the attention of the match referee.

Akhtar's match-winning spell of 3-36 in the game saw six New Zealand wickets fall for 21 runs and put Pakistan in the final of the triangular. Chasing 204, New Zealand were bowled out for 181.

According to Law 42.3, 'It is unfair for anyone to rub the ball on the ground for any reason, interfere with any of the seams or the surface of the ball, use any implement, or take any other action whatsoever which is likely to alter the condition of the ball.'

It is a Level Two offence according to the ICC's code of conduct.

But because Akhtar faced a one-match suspension during Pakistan's tour of Zimbabwe before the World Cup, the latest incident has been deemed a Level Three offence.

Akhtar will miss the final of the triseries against New Zealand and the opening game of the NatWest Challenge against England next month.