International Cricket Council (ICC) banned Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi for two Twenty20 matches.

Afridi was leading the side in the final One-day International (ODI) in Perth against Australia in the absence of an injured Mohammad Yousuf.

Afridi was caught on TV cameras appearing chewing on one side of the white ball, while walking to the run up with bowler Mohammad Asif, shortly before the umpires changed it at the end of the 45th over.

He admitted the charge, after which the match referee Ranjan Madugalle slapped the ban.

The all-rounder has apologised and said he would never commit the mistake again.

"I'm ashamed of myself. I shouldn't have done such an act. It happened in the heat of the moment. I apologise for my mistake," he said.

"It was a close match and Pakistan had not won any match. We needed a win and I just wanted to help the fast bowlers. I did it on that spur of moment. I have been banned now and I have learnt my lessons. I will ensure it doesn't happen again," Afridi added.

In 2005, Afridi was banned for a Test and two one-dayers for deliberately damaging the pitch during a Test match in Faisalabad against England.