Shoaib keen to resume national duty

Posted on Jul 04, 2008 at 17:24 | Updated Jul 05, 2008 at 13:56 Comment 2 CommentsEmail Email Print Print


Lahore: Temperamental Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar got a respite as the Lahore High Court on Friday suspended the 18-month ban on the controversial bowler, allowing him to play until a final decision is taken on the issue.

Shoaib had filed a writ petition in the High Court against the ban and a separate application to stay the ban.

"The court today retained the fine but suspended the ban and he is now available for selection. But first of all he has to pay the fine of 7 million rupees. Today was the last working day of the honorable High Court and some kind of stay had to be given to him otherwise the writ petition could not have been heard before September," said Tafazzul Rizvi, PCB's legal counsel.

"The court will now hear his writ petition and arguments for and against it sometime in September and only than will it decide on lifting the ban and dropping the fine.

"We have not seen the full order of the court as yet but we will show full respect the decision of the court," Rizvi added.

The pacer said he was relieved at the court decision and was keen to resume playing for Pakistan.

"It has been a hard last few months for me. I am very relieved today but I just want to get back to playing cricket and regain my match fitness. I am very keen to represent my country in the Champions Trophy at home," he said.

Shoaib said he would try to get some practice in England for some county or league side.

"I am thankful to the PCB Chairman and the people for their support in last two months. I am keen to now resume positively," he said.

"I filed the writ petition because I was disappointed with the decision of the appellate tribunal," he added.

Rizvi meanwhile made it clear that Shoaib's selection was something which only the selectors could decide.

"It is not a matter of right for anyone to play for Pakistan, that's the job for the selection committee to decide," he said.

Post a comment

Log in with CricketNext ID.

Log in with Facebook ID .

Ads by Google

  • Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test, Galle
  • India vs West Indies, 3rd ODI
  • India gear up for counter-punch
  • India vs West Indies, 2nd ODI
  • India vs West Indies, 1st ODI
  • Wounded India gear up for Windies
  • Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, World T20 final
  • Sri Lanka vs West Indies, 2nd semi-final
  • Pakistan vs South Africa, 1st semi-final
  • India vs South Africa, ICC World T20
  • England vs West Indies, ICC World T20
  • Pakistan vs Ireland, ICC World T20
  • India vs England, ICC World T20
  • Ireland vs Sri Lanka, ICC World T20
  • Pakistan vs New Zealand, ICC World T20
  • South Africa vs West Indies, ICC World T20
  • How Windies outshine India in Super Eights
  • World T20 Super Eights, India vs West Indies
  • Super Eights, England vs South Africa
  • India vs Ireland, ICC World T20