Shoaib was spotted scratching the seam

Pace bowler Shoaib was given a two-match ban and a fine after he was spotted by the third umpire on television close-up apparently scratching the ball.

But Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief executive Raja said similar television evidence should have been used to charge Australia's Glenn McGrath and Ramnaresh Sarwan of West Indies.

The duo were involved in a mid-pitch slanging match during the recent fourth Test in Antigua, although McGrath later apologised.

Raja argued, because both ball-tampering and sledging are considered Level Two offences under the International Cricket Council (ICC) code of conduct, they should have received equal punishment.

"I do not want to defend the acts of Shoaib Akhtar because his action was discouraging to Pakistan cricket," Raja said in a statement.

"It was proved beyond doubt that there was a just and undeniable case of a Level Two offence regarding sledging, involving Glenn McGrath and Ramnaresh Sarwan."

Sarwan and McGrath had words in Antigua McGrath sorry after bust-up Speed: Umpires must be tougher

"It seems strange that while one offence is pursued so seriously that the third umpire also gets involved, the other offence goes unnoticed."

The game's governing body leaves punishment for offences like this up to the match officials involved.

And ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said after the Antigua incident that officials should have imposed punishments.

Raja also sought to point out that Shoaib was punished for his attempt to alter the ball, rather than achieving it, saying the ball was not changed until 14 overs after the offence.

"Shoaib's action of scratching/cleaning the ball was considered an attempt of changing the condition of the ball by the match referee," Raja said.

"There is a wide difference between actually doing something and attempting to do something which is relatively a lesser crime."

Raja intends to bring the issue up at next month's meeting of the ICC executive board in London.