Sports Cricket Pakistan bowler Shoaib as court lifts ban for indiscipline

Lahore, July 5 PPI: Pakistan's fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar's 18-month ban for indiscipline was lifted on Friday by Lahore High Court, pending a full and final judgement on the case.

The suspension means he is, once again, eligible to play for Pakistan. The Rupees seven million ($101,000) fine imposed upon him, however, will still stand.

"Shoaib is now free to play for his country," said Shoaib's lawyer Abid Hasan Minto.
"However, this is only an interim order. A final decision will be taken in September
when the court reconvenes."

Pakistan Cricket Board, however, is confident that 18-month ban will be upheld when
the case is heard. "Today was last working day of courts and the courts usual give
relief to petitioners just before their summer vacation," said PCB lawyer Tafazzaul
Rizvi. "This is normal and it does not have a bearing on the final outcome."

Shoaib was initially banned for five years in April this year by a PCB disciplinary
committee for violating players' code of conduct after he criticised the board for
failing to offer him a new contract. Instead he was offered a retainer.

He appealed against his five-year ban last month and it was reduced to 18 months but
he was still fined by a PCB panel. Shoaib then filed a petition in Lahore high court
on June 30 in a bid to overturn that verdict.