Akhtar ban suspended
by Toby Davis, 04 July 2008
Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is free to resume playing for his country after having his 18-month ban suspended.
The controversial paceman was originally banned for five years by the Pakistan Cricket Board for criticising PCB policies.
That ban was reduced to 18 months on appeal, but the Lahore High Court decided on Friday to suspend the sanction pending a final decision in September.
Akhtar’s lawyer Abid Hasan Minto said: "Shoaib is now free to play for his country.
"However, this is only an interim order. A final decision will be taken in September when the court reconvenes."
The PCB, however, are confident the ban will be upheld when the case is re-opened in the autumn.
PCB lawyer Tafazzaul Rizvi said: "Today was the last working day of the courts and the courts usuallly give relief to petitioners just before their summer vacation.
"This is normal and it does not have a bearing on the final outcome."
Akhtar is no stranger to controversy having been embroiled in a drug scandal in 2005, after testing positive for a banned substance and receiving an indefinite ban in 2007 for brawling with team-mate Mohammad Asif.