Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been banned for five years by the Pakistan Cricket Board following a disciplinary hearing in Rawalpindi.
The 32-year-old, who was on a two-year probation for attacking team-mate Mohammad Asif with a bat, was charged with publicly criticising the PCB.
"We felt his presence damaged Pakistan cricket's image," the PCB said.
The ban covers international matches and domestic games in Pakistan but not the Twenty20 Indian Premier League.
Shoaib has been plagued by injury and controversy since he began his international career in November 1997.
He was twice sidelined over throwing allegations and was also banned for a breach of code on tour and ball-tampering.
In October 2006 he was given a two-year suspension for testing positive for the banned steroid nandrolone but this was later rescinded on appeal.
There was more consternation in the build-up to the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 with the Asif altercation, which resulted in a ban of 13 international matches, a fine and the probation, for a total of five disciplinary breaches.
Then in January this year he was dropped from Pakistan's list of 15 contracted players.
Though he was offered a special retainer but refused to sign, and the nature of his comments proved the final straw for the PCB, who could have implemented an immediate life ban.
"The board has lost confidence in Shoaib Akhtar," chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf said.
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However, Ashraf described the outcome as a "sad day for me and for Shoaib Akhtar. He is such a talented player."
The chairman added that Akhtar had the right to appeal against the decision.
Whether the colourful fast bowler will do that successfully and add to his 178 wickets from 46 Tests and 219 one-day international wickets from 138 matches remains to be seen.
On the field Shoaib, nicknamed "The Rawalpindi Express" had occasional moments of brilliance, helping to deflate England after their 2005 Ashes victory by taking 17 wickets to inspire a 2-0 series victory for Pakistan.
He also had a good record against the all-conquering Australians, taking five wickets in an innings on three occasions.
Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria was also charged with statements against the board, but was issued with a reprimand and a warning.
Kaneria had criticised his central contract demotion from category B to C in an online column, but later blamed a newspaper for publishing his words out of context.
"Since this was Kaneria's first offence on discipline, he has been severely reprimanded and barred from issuing any press statements," Ashraf said.
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