Lahore, Feb 21 : Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Nasim Ashraf has said that fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is not interested in playing for Pakistan and that is why he has signed a contract with the Indian Premier League (IPL) without the permission of the board.

"The board's No Objection Certificate (NOC) was only for those players who preferred playing for Pakistan," Ashraf said.

"When the PCB issues an NOC to any player it means the player is bound to play for the national team whenever required," Ashraf added.

He further said that since Akhtar did not ask for the NOC and joined the IPL on his own, this clearly suggests that he has no intentions of playing for the national side.

"The board had received an apology from Akhtar," the Daily Times quoted Ashraf as saying.

"But his case is not closed. He has breached the code of conduct. We will refer his case to the PCB disciplinary committee," he added.

ANI