The Kuwait Cricket Association has banned three players for three years and suspended its national teams from all international competition following an alleged blackmail attempt by the players at last year's ACC Trophy.

The three, Sikander Qamar, Asif Ahmed and Saud Qamar, have been banned by the KCA after allegedly delivering an ultimatum prior to Kuwait's last ACC Trophy Group match against Hong Kong in Dubai last November that all three be included in the team.

The trio reportedly backed down after persuasion from team manager Murali Kitticode, but the bans were placed when the incident was reported by team captain Taher Bastaki on its return to Kuwait.

Kuwait had provided the early shock of the tournament by beating Singapore in its international debut match and then throwing away a winning position in its second game against Malaysia.

The turmoil allegdly began prior to the match against Malaysia following a telephone call to the players from an official in Kuwait.

"Back home I did not keep quiet as our country's name has been tarnished," Bastaki told BTTW. "All the reports were given to the Vice President Mr. Fadhel Jowhar who issued the ban of three years punishment."

The suspension of Kuwaiti national teams has already seen the cancellation of an under 13 tournament for Persian Gulf countries in Kuwait later this month.

However, it is expected the suspension of the national teams will be lifted in time for planned internationals against the United Arab Emirates in Kuwait this April.

Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti national team has won a tournament against teams representing the local expatriate populations of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

The Kuwaiti team, minus the three banned players, defeated a Pakistani XI in the final at Khaitan Stadium by 17 runs.

© 2001 CricInfo Ltd