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.
