Akhtar loses appeal against five-year PCB ban
Wednesday, 30 Apr 2008 12:45
Shoaib Akhtar loses appeal against PCB's five-year ban
Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has lost his appeal against the five-year ban imposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The 32-year-old's international career now looks to be over after it was confirmed he would not be allowed to play for Pakistan until 2013, by which time he will be 37.
Akhtar is nicknamed the 'Rawalpindi Express' and known for his aggressive and confrontational on-field behaviour, although he has also courted controversy off it.
His latest indiscretion, which resulted in the ban, saw him criticise the PCB selectors for failing to offer him a central contract.
Akhtar has since withdrawn his comments and in a statement read by his lawyer, the paceman said: "I [Akhtar] would like to apologise from the bottom of my heart for any grief or embarrassment that may have been caused to the nation, particularly to the PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf.
"I have resolved to alter my habits to refrain from such incidents in future and I will obey the PCB rules and regulations,"
However, despite admitting his public apology could be seen as a mitigating circumstance to reduce or overturn the ban, the PCB has upheld the original judgement.
"As far as the appellant is concerned, prima facie he has not learned his lessons and continues to flout discipline," the appeals board judgement explained.
"[Akhtar] has harmed the chairman of the PCB, the PCB itself, his fellow cricketers and the nation.
"Team spirit is one for all and all for one; he hasn't demonstrated such spirit and this is apparent from his record."
The board clarified that their judgment was only binding for domestic and international cricket within Pakistan or for the national side, adding: "Shoaib Akhtar can play anywhere outside Pakistan and it was not the intention of the disciplinary committee to restrict him from that."
This means Akhtar is legally allowed to continue playing for Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders.
However, the IPL has issued a separate ban on Akhtar that prevents the $425,000 (£216,000) signing from playing in the competition.