Shoaib hearing delayed yet again

Shoaib Akhtar had a short stint with Surrey last month

A hearing over the suspension of Pakistan bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been postponed for a third time until October 8 because of the Eid holidays.

In April, Shoaib was banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board on disciplinary grounds for five years, but that was reduced by an appellate tribunal to 18 months. The tribunal also imposed a fine of seven million rupees.

Shoaib appealed the decision to the Lahore High Court and the ban was temporarily suspended pending a final decision from the court, with the hearing set for today.

But PCB lawyer Tafazzul Rizvi said: "The hearing could not be held (on Friday) due to Eid holidays.

"Chief justice Syed Zahid Hussain has fixed October 8 as new date for the hearing."

Last month, when the hearing was twice delayed, the PCB filed a petition demanding Shoaib pay the fine before he is allowed to play international cricket.