Controversial Akhtar to be sued by Pakistan Cricket Board
Shoaib Akhtar may never play for Pakistan again
Thursday, 03, Apr 2008 09:38
Pakistan bowler Shoaib Akhtar will be sued by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after controversial allegations he made about PCB chief Dr Nasim Ashraf.
The 32-year-old was banned for five years by the PCB earlier in the week for criticising the board for failing to give him a central contract. But he hit back by claiming that Ashraf tried to "extort" payments from him.
"I have rejected many offers in the past to under-perform," said Akhtar. "It happened in Johannesburg and in India but I never accepted them because I can't betray my country."
The PCB and Dr Ashraf have denied the accusations made by Akhtar. Dr Ashraf has demanded Akhtar to retract his comments, apologise, and pay damages of £1.6 million.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) have said they will investigate the allegations made by Akhtar.
Meanwhile, Akhtar has been told he will not be able to compete in the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) while he is banned by the PCB. The 32-year-old has insisted he will fight the ban and will take his case to court if necessary.
"Shoaib has been banned from playing and until his ban is lifted he cannot play in the IPL," said league chairman Lalit Modi.
"We know his appeal against the ban is coming up for hearing. We're hoping his ban will be lifted. He is a great player and we want him to play. But he cannot play in IPL as long as the ban is applicable."