Court suspends PCB ban on ICL players

The Sind High Court has temporarily lifted a ban on Pakistan's ICL players from competing in domestic cricket. Effectively, the order means the group of 19 cricketers in the league can - and some will - take part in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, the domestic first-class competition. The ban on their participation in international cricket, however, remains since it is not yet a point of argument in the legal proceedings.

A letter had initially been sent by the legal firm representing the players to the Pakistan board last week to enquire about the ban. It was thought then that the matter would not be immediately be taken to court, but the players' lawyer Zahid Ebrahim said subsequent PCB prevarication over the response and another fruitless bout of discussions at the ICC board meeting in Perth prompted the legal action.

"We waited for the ICC meeting and nothing happened there. The PCB wanted a month to respond to our queries and as the domestic season is already on, we decided to move,"

Ebrahim told Cricinfo.

The matter appeared at the High Court today and immediately an interim order was passed, lifting the ban until further notice. The court has called the PCB for a hearing on February 10.

"An interim order was passed today, by a single bench High Court judge, staying the ban on these players,"

Ebrahim said.

"The court has suspended the operation of the PCB's playing condition 2.2 which bans these players from domestic cricket. A notice has been sent to the PCB to appear on February 10. The restriction was on domestic cricket only."

Eleven players are behind the motion, including Imran Farhat, Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Yousuf, Mohammad Sami, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Shabbir Ahmed and Hasan Raza. Understandably, there was relief, even if it is temporary.

"This is like someone has pumped life back into us,"

Farhat told Cricinfo.

"It is a massive relief for us and we have known all along that we are right in our fight."

Farhat will now appear for his employers Habib Bank Limited in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy from the next round of matches.

"My bank have been great. Unlike other organisations, they supported me throughout this. They paid my salary every month and benefits and they really have been great."

Though there has not been active support from the present administration of the PCB, Farhat acknowledged that a more flexible stance on the matter has helped.

"The statements this board has made have been favourable to us generally and certainly they have handled it far better than the last administration and government,"

Farhat said.

"The chairman was also in Australia discussing the case and they are behind us. We haven't been in touch with them at all, but you can sense that this administration wants to help. Cricketers know how cricketers feel. It is in the interests of Pakistan."

Ironically, deteriorating relations between India and Pakistan mean that a cloud hovers over the very future of Pakistan involvement in the ICL, which currently involves a team consisting of only Pakistan players, Lahore Badshahs, besides players in other teams. But Farhat is optimistic it will be sorted out.

"I think they [ICL] are looking at options to make it work, different venues maybe. But I am hopeful something good will come of that."

The key to this case now may well be the stance and slant of the board and their policy. In the early days of the present PCB administration, officials such as Javed Miandad openly argued for the bans to be removed. But Miandad has now gone and Ijaz Butt, the chairman, has struggled to properly grasp the nuts and bolts of the issue. He had been extensively briefed by the board's legal team about the case before the ICC meeting in Perth. Whether or not the issue was brought up there is not currently known.

No immediate statement of any intent was forthcoming from the board.

"Let us receive the copy of the order and study it first,"

Saleem Altaf, chief operating officer, told Cricinfo.

"But a court order is a court order and we will have to respond accordingly."

The ICC will also be interested in studying the details of the order, as the case may well have repercussions for ICL players around the world. It is understood that the PCB will contact the ICC as soon as the order has been examined.

Hearing on Shoaib's appeal against ban postponed

A hearing on fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar's appeal against an 18-month ban was postponed Tuesday because the judge was not available, a lawyer for the Pakistan Cricket Board said.

The 33-year-old paceman is appealing the ban and a fine of seven million rupees (100,000 dollars).

"Lahore High Court Justice Syed Zahid Hussain was not available to hear the case as he was attending the swearing-in ceremony of the president of Pakistan in Islamabad,"

PCB lawyer Taffazul Rizvi said.

A new date for the hearing would be announced next week, he said.

The original ban of five years was imposed by the PCB disciplinary committee in April following Akhtar's public criticism of the board in January when he was axed from the list of 15 contracted players.

An appeal committee reduced the ban but imposed the fine in June before the Lahore High Court suspended the ban the same month, allowing Akhtar to play in the Indian Premier League.

However the court upheld the fine, a prerequisite for Akhtar representing Pakistan again.

He was named to a 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy that was to be held in September but was postponed for 12 months amid security fears in Pakistan.

The injury-prone paceman is in London due to play for Surrey in a county game against Hampshire starting at The Oval on Tuesday.

Shoaib Akhtar has to pay fine: PCB

The Pakistan Cricket Board said that Shoaib Akhtar has to compulsorily pay the fine before appearing in a forthcoming international event.

PBC lawyer Tafazzul Rizvi said that in the notice sent to Shoaib, he was asked to pay fine before the Champions Trophy because then it was Pakistan’s first assignment after the court verdict.

However, if Shoaib Akhtar wants to represent Pakistan in international cricket then first he has to pay the fine before the next event.

Tafazzul Rizvi said that Shoaib Akhtar ahs already received the notce for paying fine but he has still not replied it.

Lahore High Court suspends ban on Shoaib

Lahore High Court(LHC) has suspended one and a half year ban imposed on Shoaib Akhtar by Pakistan Cricket Board’s appellate tribunal, however, fine of Rs. seven milllion will remain intact.

Shoaib is also allowed to play cricket till the announcement of final verdict of the writ.

Shoaib Akhtar files petition against ban

Shoaib Akhtar has filed a writ petition in the Lahore High Court seeking to overturn the original five-year ban imposed on him by the Pakistan board that was later reduced to 18 months by an appellate tribunal.

Even though Shoaib's ban was reduced after an appeal, he wasn't happy with the tribunal's decision.

"I want to play for Pakistan as soon as possible,"

Shoaib told PTI.

"I was disappointed with the tribunal's decision on my appeal."

"We feel the decision of the PCB in the first place to ban him for five years was illegal and unjustified,"

Abid Hasan Minto, Shoaib's legal counsel, said.

"We believe he is being prevented from playing cricket for his country by an illegal decision of the board. The ban itself is very harsh. We are contesting the entire ban."

Nasim Ashraf, the Pakistan board chairman, had said Shoaib was free to appeal in court.

"That is his decision to make,"

Ashraf had said.

"The tribunal's verdict has nothing to do with the PCB. I can't overturn the reduced ban on him. The decision made by Justice Aftab Farrukh is final and it can only be challenged in the court."

Shoaib was banned for five years in April by a disciplinary committee of the PCB for violating the players' code of conduct after he was charged with publicly criticising the board for offering him a retainership instead of a contract. The ban prevented him from playing in the IPL until it was suspended for one month which facilitated Shoaib's participation in the Twenty20 tournament.

Shoaib appealed against the five-year ban and it was reduced to 18 months along with a fine of Rs 7 million (approximately $105,000) by a PCB-appointed appellate tribunal, headed by Justice (retd) Aftab Farrukh, on June 14.

Shoaib Akhtar to appeal against Tribunal’s verdict

Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has resolved to register appeal in High Court against the 18-month ban verdict of Appellate Tribunal here on Monday.

Shoaib’s counsel Abid Hassan Minto, talking to the Geo News correspondent Sohail Imran, said that we have yet to receive the formal copy of tribunal’s verdict in black and white after which we would contact High Court for filing appeal.

Appellate Tribunal had reduced Shoaib Akhtar’s five-year ban to 18 months with rupees seven million fine on Saturday.

18 month-ban, Rs 7 million-fine awarded to Shoaib Akhtar

The Appellate Tribunal in a majority decision has reduced the ban on Shoaib Akhtar from five years to 18 months and imposed a fine of seven million rupees.

While talking to media the head of the Appellate Tribunal Justice (retired) Aftab Farrukh told that the third member of the tribunal was in favour of withdrawing the five-year ban and instead imposing a fine of Rs 50 million.

Aftab Farrukh said that Shoaib Akhtar should also undergo counseling.

He said that he gave his verdict according to his conscious and he personally felt that the five-year ban was too much.

He said that this decision was not made under any pressure and the tribunal has reviewed the case from every aspect before reaching the final verdict.

Supreme Court to hear Salim Malik's life ban appeal

Former Pakistan captain Salim Malik Saturday said he hoped to overturn his life ban for alleged involvement in match-fixing after the country's top court granted him an appeal hearing.

Malik was banned by a match-fixing inquiry in 2001 after three top Australian players accused him of offering bribes for them to underperform.

But after Saturday's decision by the Supreme Court, the 44-year-old cricketer said:

"It is a sort of a win for me."

He said he was told he could start proceedings on May 19.

"This means a lot to me because I have been fighting to clear my name for eight years and once I get this ban overturned I would like to associate myself to cricket once again."

The May 2001 ban, imposed by an inquiry headed by high court judge Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum, also prevented him from holding any office or involvement in any cricket-related activity.

The ban was imposed after Shane Warne, Tim May and Mark Waugh claimed he offered them bribes to underperform during Australia's 1994 tour of Pakistan.

In 1995 Malik was cleared of the allegations by a one-judge commission on the grounds of lack of evidence.

However the Qayyum commission, which conducted an extensive inquiry that also included recorded statements from the Australian trio in Australia, decreed there was enough evidence to ban Malik for life.

Former fast bowler Ataur Rehman was also banned for life on charges of perjury during the inquiry, although that was lifted in 2003.

The Qayyum commission also fined six other Pakistan players -- Inzamam-ul-Haq, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Mushtaq Ahmed, Saeed Anwar and Akram Raza.

Malik's name also featured in an Indian match-fixing inquiry, which led to life bans for former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Sharma in 2000. Late South African captain Hansie Cronje, also banned for life on match-fixing, also named Malik as an offender in a separate probe in South Africa.

Malik's appeal against the ban was rejected by Lahore High court in 2001. His appeal to the Supreme court has been pending since then.

In October 2006 India pardoned Azharuddin -- a move that inspired Malik, who said:

"India has already lifted the ban on Azharuddin and I feel my ban can also be lifted."

He added: "I can't play cricket at my age now but there are hundreds of things linked to cricket which I can do and one is coaching," said Malik, whose efforts to start his own coaching academy were blocked by the Pakistan Cricket Board in 2006.

Malik played 103 Tests and 263 one-day internationals for Pakistan between 1981 and 1999. He also led his country in 12 Tests and 34 one-day internationals.

IPL also imposes ban on Shoaib Akhtar

Indian Premier League (IPL) also banned Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, following the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announcement banning the player for five years, saying Thursday Shoaib cannot play cricket in India.

IPL commissioner Lalith Modi, said that Shoaib Akhtar cannot play for IPL according to the IPL law until the PCB clears him, as chairman PCB banned him from playing not only the domestic cricket but also international cricket.

Replying to a question, Lalith Modi said that the IPL law says that it cannot allow a player who is banned by the cricket board of his own country.

On the other hand, the Indian Cricket League (ICL) Chairman Kapil Dev said the restriction may end Shoaib’s career, adding he feels sorry for the cricketer; however, it seems quite strange to take such a player who is banned in his own country.

Talking to Geo News, sources said Shah Rukh has another option in place of the ace Pakistani bowler.

PCB sues Shoaib Akhtar for Rs 200 million

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sued fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar for 200 million rupees (three million dollars) on Thursday for making allegedly defamatory comments after he was banned for five years.

Shoaib Akhtar was banned by the PCB on Tuesday, a move that effectively ends his career after a series of disciplinary problems culminating in a public outburst against the board for not giving him a contract.

"We demand immediate retraction of allegations from Shoaib Akhtar in various statements which were malicious and baseless,"

PCB chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf told a foreign news agency.

"He must apologise and pay damages of 100 million rupees to the PCB and damages of 100 million rupees to me."

In a letter made public by the board, lawyers for PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf demanded the money for a "malicious and vile piece of defamation" allegedly made by Akhtar in a television interview on Wednesday.

In the interview with a private television channel, Shoaib Akhtar alleged that Nasim Ashraf had "pressurised you for and tried to extort from you" payments from Akhtar's
Indian Premier League contract, and that the five-year ban was a response to Shoaib Akhtar's alleged refusal, the letter said.

Shoaib Akhtar and several other Pakistan players have signed for the multi-billion dollar IPL, which starts from April 18.

The lawyers' letter said he should pay Nasim Ashraf 100 million rupees "for defaming him personally" and the same amount again "for sullying the name of the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Pakistan cricket team."

It was further said in the letter that if Shoaib Akhtar fails to pay the damages the the Pakistan Cricket Board is authorized to take further legal action against him.

Younis calls for compromise over Shoaib Akhtar

Pakistan batsman Younis Khan called Thursday for a compromise to end the spiralling row between the country's cricket board and banned fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.

A disciplinary committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Tuesday banned Akhtar from all national and international cricket for five years after a series of disciplinary violations.

PCB chief Nasim Ashraf then demanded 200 million rupees (three million dollars) in damages from Akhtar for alleged defamation.

"I think the matter has gone too far. This whole issue is damaging for Pakistan cricket so I hope that a compromise is reached,"

said Younis, a former Pakistan captain.

"Of course he is my friend, my senior and I have played alongside him for years, so my sympathies are with him,"

batsman Younis told reporters.

"I think the player (Shoaib Akhtar) must think about his problems and the board must talk to him and solve this matter."

Younis said Pakistani cricket could not afford such controversies.

"We have too many issues in Pakistan cricket. Teams are not coming to Pakistan (due to security fears) and issues like Shoaib Akhtar's will further hit Pakistan cricket,"

he said.

Shoaib Akhtar said he will appeal against the ban.

Shoaib to file appeal tomorrow

Fast bowler Shoaib Akhter would file an appeal tomorrow against fiver years ban imposed on him by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and said that he would go to Supreme Court if PCB would not give him relief.

Shoaib had received a cordially welcome from his fans as soon as he arrived at Allama Iqbal International Airport here on Thursday.They chanted slogans in favor of Shoaib and against PCB.

Talking to media, Shoaib said that he would likely file the appeal tomorrow after consultations with his lawyer Abid Hasan Minto.

He said that PCB would give him relief because he did not sign the central contract. He also thanked his fans.

Shoaib expressed hope that he will get justice as Prime Minister had taken the notice of the issue.

Altaf Hussain demands lifting ‘unfair’ ban on Shoaib Akhtar

Quaid of the Muttehadda Qaumi Movement (MQM) Altaf Hussain demanded from prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to take immediate notice of the ‘unfair’ ban imposed on national cricket team’s fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and take this decision back.

In a statement issued from London, he said that due to decisions taken on the basis of likes and dislikes and nepotism the standard of the national cricket has been going down.

He said that the five-year ban imposed on Shoaib Akhtar cannot be condemned more.

Altaf Hussain demanded from prime minister to lift the ban imposed on Shoaib Akhtar.

Shoaib Akhtar accuses PCB of excessive behavior

Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has termed the cricket board’s decision of five-year’s ban on him excess against him adding he was awarded major punishment for a minor offence.

Addressing a press conference outside the Rawalpindi Press Club on Wednesday, Shoaib thanked the media and people for their support.

He advised his supporters to control their emotions and avoid any unruly behavior. He said he would file appeal with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) against the ban and would go to the Supreme Court for justice.

"I have been victimised, I have been pinpoint targeted. I should be told what I did and when I violated discipline,"

the maverick paceman told a news conference in Islamabad.

"I did not commit any crime. This is a great injustice with me. But I assure people that everything will be alright,"

said the 32-year-old, who has vowed to fight the ban in court.

He said the board was prejudiced against him.

Akhtar was hauled before a Pakistan Cricket Board disciplinary panel after publicly slamming the board for refusing to award him a central contract in January.

The board said it took the harsh step of a five-year ban, effectively ending his international career, because he was on two years' probation for hitting teammate Mohammad Asif with a bat in October.

Akhtar, who has twice hit the coveted 100 mile-per-hour (161 kilometres) mark, has had a controversial career plagued by injuries, discipline problems and a doping scandal in 2007.

He addressed his fans, adding:

"I appeal to people not to damage public property and to remain calm. I will appeal to higher authorities, I will contest the ban."

Hanif Abbasi submits adjournment motion against ban on Shoaib Akhtar

Member National Assembly Hanif Abbasi along with four other MNAs has submitted at the National Assembly secretariat an adjournment motion against the ban imposed on Shoaib Akhtar from playing cricket for five years.

Talking with media after submitting the adjournment motion, PML (N) leader Hanif Abbasi said that he has raised questions in his request about the appointment of the PCB chairman, his perks, tenure of his office and the list of the PCB employees.

Hanif Abbasi on this occasion said that PCB chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf has destroyed the career of Shoaib Akhtar on the basis of his personal enmity and this issue would be raised in the fullest way in the National Assembly.

Shoaib Akhtar to fight ban in court

Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar said Tuesday he will fight a five-year ban imposed on him by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for violating the players' code of conduct.

"I am deeply disappointed and hurt. I will go to court and fight against the ban,"

Akhtar told a foreign news agency minutes after a disciplinary committee imposed the ban.

The 32-year-old Akhtar appeared before the committee earlier Tuesday, charged with publicly criticising the country's board in January for reducing his contract status.

He was already on two-years probation for hitting a teammate with a bat.

"I was demoted from central contract 'A' category, which was very hurtful and as a reaction I said something. I have apologised to the PCB, before the disciplinary committee and before everyone,"

Akhtar said.

"So I thought that they would take a lenient action, but this harsh decision has effectively ended my career. I still want to play for my country,"

he said.

PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf told reporters as he announced the decision that Akhtar was given several chances and since he was on two-years probation, the ban was justified.

Akhtar refused to accept Ashraf's claims that he was a negative influence on the team.

"Ask the captain (Shoaib Malik), ask coach Geoff Lawson and they would vouch for me. I had played with high fever on the India tour (last year), which proved my commitment for the team,"

Akhtar said.

"I bowl fast so I am prone to injuries, but I have given my heart, soul and body to this team. I know some vested interest did not want me to be the part of the team, but I will be back."

Shoaib Akhtar banned for five years, Kaneria warned

Pakistan Cricket Board has banned maverick paceman Shoaib Akhtar from playing cricket for five years on Tuesday for violating the players' code of conduct.

The 32-year-old Akhtar appeared before a disciplinary committee earlier Tuesday charged with publicly criticising the country's board. He was already on two years' probation for hitting a teammate with a bat.

The ban effectively ends the controversial eleven-year career of the world's fastest bowler, which has been plagued by injuries, discipline problems and a doping scandal in 2007.

"The committee has recommended a five year-ban on Shoaib Akthar. He will be ineligible to play in Pakistan or to play for Pakistan anywhere else in the world,"

PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf told reporters.

"The board has lost confidence in Shoaib Akhtar and therefore felt that his presence in the field was damaging to the Pakistan team, for Pakistan players and for the image of Pakistan cricket,"

Ashraf added.

However the PCB chief said that Akhtar would still be able to play for other teams around the world, clearing the fast bowler to play for the
lucrative Indian Premier League next month.

Ashraf added that it was a

"sad day for me and for Shoaib Akhtar. He is such a talented player."

The PCB chairman said Akhtar had the right to appeal the decision.

Because he was already on probation, Akhtar faced a theoretical life ban for slamming the PCB for dual standards on awarding central contracts in January this year.

In October last year, Akhtar was fined 3.4 million rupees (52,000 dollars) and banned for 13 matches for hitting fellow paceman Mohammad Asif with a bat, just days before the start of the Twenty20 World Championships in South Africa.

Spinner Danish Kaneria, who also faced a charge of criticising the PCB, was severely reprimanded, Ashraf said.

Kaneria had criticised his demotion from category "B" to "C" in the central contract in an online column. He later blamed a newspaper for publishing his column out of context.

"Since this was Kaneria's first offense on discipline, he has been severely reprimanded and barred from issuing any press statements,"

Ashraf said.

Akhtar was dropped from Pakistan's list of 15 contracted players in January after the paceman had another disappointing year, plagued by injures and discipline problems.

Instead, Akhtar was offered a special retainer deal, which he refused to sign.

The mercurial fast bowler last played for Pakistan in the third and final Test against India at Bangalore in December last year. He broke down with back trouble and was blamed for Pakistan's 1-0 defeat in the series.

He was not selected for Pakistan's five-match series against Zimbabwe in February and was omitted from next month's first two limited overs international against Bangladesh.

Akhtar took 178 wickets in 46 Tests, while his tally in 138 one-day matches stands at 219.

Latest tiff with board could earn Shoaib life ban

Shoaib Akhtar's latest tiff with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could potentially earn him a life ban from cricket, a board official has warned.

The Pakistan board has sought an explanation from Shoaib - as well as from Danish Kaneria - for statements attributed to them in the media which the board believes to be critical of its policies.

Shoaib was overlooked for a central contract last month and instead offered a retainership. He later refused the offer, insisting he doesn't need money to play for Pakistan, and questioned the board's policy in issuing central contracts. In particular, he highlighted the case of a player who had been retained in the top category of contracts despite having barely played any cricket in the six-month period on which contracts were based.

But Shoaib is currently on a two-year probation period, as part of the punishment he received for his infamous altercation with Mohammad Asif at the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa last August. He incurred a record monetary fine for that breach, as well as a 13-match ban and was publicly told by the board that any further indiscretions would result in a life ban.

"We are waiting to hear explanations for their statements,"

said the official.

"They have till February 18. Shoaib is on a two-year notice period and any further violation could lead to a life ban.

"The board was clear on this. He was put on probation after the Asif incident for two years, during which any act of indiscipline or breach of code of conduct could result in an automatic life ban."

PCB’s ICL rebels action justified, says Justice Qayyum

Justice Malik Qayyum, the Attorney General of Pakistan, has changed his mind about the fate of the Indian Cricket League (ICL) rebels and now says that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken the right decision by banning them.

According to a PCB official, Justice Qayyum has sent a two-page letter to the Board chairman Nasim Ashraf in which he has written that after going through the details of the case he has come to the conclusion that the PCB is justified in its strict stance against the cricketers who joined the breakaway ICL.

Earlier, Justice Qayyum had said that the ban went against the fundamental rights of a citizen of Pakistan.

“If these players decide to seek redress from the court then they have a strong case against the board as the ban is not justified,”

Qayyum was quoted as saying.

“The ban is a clear-cut case of restraining someone from earning from his trade,”

he had said.

Taking note of Justice Qayyum’s criticism of the PCB policy against the ICL, Ashraf had a meeting with the Attorney General to tell him the reasons why such a strict stance has been adopted by Pakistan.

Six Pakistani players including former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and experienced all-rounder Abdul Razzaq featured in the ICL in spite of warnings from the PCB last year. According to details, the PCB Governing Board at a meeting in Karachi on January 25 endorsed the decision of the top PCB management to ban the ICL rebels from playing for Pakistan on in first-class competitions at home. Some of the players have decided to challenge the ban in court.