Shoaib ban reduced

Shoaib Akhtar has had his five-year ban reduced to 18 months by an appeal tribunal

Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar had his five-year ban reduced to 18 months by an appellate tribunal on Saturday.

The 32-year-old, who was appealing a five-year ban imposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board for disciplinary reasons, was also fined 70 million rupees by the three-member tribunal.

“The decision was taken after a thorough review of the case,” said Justice Aftab Farrukh, who headed the PCB tribunal.

"The five-year ban was too harsh and hence, we decided to reduce the ban on Akhtar," Justice Farrukh told reporters.

"We think that he has three more years to play at the international level, so we have given him about half that time while denying him 18 months."

"We also took into consideration Akhtar’s past record and that fact that he had publicly apologised for his behaviour and past deeds," Farrukh added.

"He has promised to reform himself and we have also recommended to the board that he should be given proper counselling."

The PCB’s legal counsel Tafazzul Rizvi said he was satisfied with the decision. "We accept the decision of the tribunal. Justice has been delivered," he said.

The ban means Shoaib, who has not played a match for his country this year, will miss both the Asia Cup and the Champions Trophy. Both tournaments will be hosted by Pakistan later this year.

Justice Farrukh said Shoaib can appeal against the tribunal’s decision.

"It is up to him to appeal. We have given a decision with a clear conscience. There has been no interference from either the Board or Akhtar," he said.

Shoaib’s lawyer Abid Hasan Minto said they would take a decision on an appeal after studying the tribunal’s order.

"It’s a long and detailed order. We need some time to study it before taking a decision," Abid Hasan Minto said.

Shoaib had already been serving a two-year ban for hitting fellow paceman Mohammad Asif in a dressing room altercation just before the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa.

The five-year ban was then imposed after Shoaib had publicly criticised the PCB’s allocation of central contracts to players earlier this year. Shoaib’s own contract had been downgraded.

A decision on his appeal had been expected last week, but the PCB tribunal had wanted more time to study the evidence.

Other members of the appellate tribunal included former Test cricketer Haseeb Ahsen and Naveed Chaudhry.

The tribunal had temporarily lifted the ban to allow Shoaib to participate in the Indian Premier League. He had a brief stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders.