Shoaib's five-year ban upheld; free to play in IPL

Lahore, Apr 30 (UNI) Controversial pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar's appeal against a five-year ban has been rejected by a three-man appellate tribunal, which upheld his punishment while arriving at its verdict here today.

The appellate tribunal, in its interim ruling, said Akhtar could not play any match in or for Pakistan but gave him the liberty to play anywhere else in the world.

Head of the three-member appellate tribunal Justice (retd) Aftab Farrukh said the suspension would remain in place.

''Basically he has not tried to reform himself and has continued to violate discipline. That is the view of the tribunal so the ban stays,'' Farrukh told mediapersons.

''This is also the order of the disciplinary committee of the Board that he can't play for or anywhere in Pakistan domestically or internationally. But there is no bar on him playing anywhere else in the world,'' he added.

The tribunal decision comes just a day after Shoaib tendered an unqualified apology to the public, the PCB and all his teammates for various code of conduct violations and for outbursts against board officials.

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