PCB reduces Shoaib's five-year ban to 18 months

Karachi, June 14: Temperamental fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar's five-year ban was reduced to 18-months, but a fine of Rs. 7 million slapped on him by the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) tribunal here Saturday.

'The tribunal has taken the decision with a clear conscience and under no pressure from either the board or anyone else,' tribunal chief Aftab Farrukh told reporters here, adding that the three-member tribunal unanimously felt the original sentence was too harsh on the player.

In April, Shoaib was banned for five years for repeatedly violating the code of conduct.

'We also took into consideration the past record of Shoaib and his publicly apology for his behaviour and past deeds,' Farrukh said.

'He has promised to reform himself and we have also recommended to the board that he should be given proper counselling.'

The fast bowler's lawyer Abid Hasan Minto said the player had the right to pursue an appeal against the 18-month ban.

'But we will take a decision after going through the long and detailed order of the tribunal,' Minto said.

Source: IANS

Pak court suspends ban on fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar

LAHORE, Pakistan:(AP) A judge says an 18-month playing ban imposed by Pakistan's Cricket Board on fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar for disciplinary violations has been suspended.

Lahore High Court judge Sayed Zahid Hussain said in his ruling Friday that the ban was suspended until after the summer break when the court resumes hearing the case. That is expected to be in September.

Initially, court secretary Jamshed Akhtar told reporters the ban had been "lifted," but the judge's written ruling made clear a final decision is yet to come.

A PCB tribunal had originally banned Akhtar for five years and imposed a 7 million rupee (US$102,900) fine. The ban was reduced to 18 months on appeal.

Rizvi said Akhtar still had to pay the fine.