Shoaib 'freed' to play

Judge suspends 18-month ban until September

Last updated: 4th July 2008

Shoaib Akhtar leaves hearing

Shoaib: Has had his ban suspended

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has had his 18-month ban for disciplinary violations "suspended" by a high court judge in Lahore.

Shoaib was initially suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board for five years and imposed a $102,900 fine, only for the ban to be reduced to 18 months on appeal.

However Court judge Sayed Zahid Hussain has now ruled to "suspend" the ban until September when the court will resume hearing the case.

"While accepting his application for interim relief (until the appeal is heard), the court has allowed Shoaib Akhtar to play cricket," judge Hussain told the court in the eastern city.

"The petition will be heard after the summer vacation."

The PCB have confirmed the decision, with the board's lawyer Taffazul Rizvi telling AFP: "Akhtar's appeal to stay the ban was upheld, which means he is temporarily allowed to play until the petition is heard, but he will have to give the fine."

Shoaib has immediately set his sights on playing for his country again at the Champions Trophy - although with the tournament running between September 11-28, it is not clear if he will be eligible to play.

The 32-year-old said: "I am relieved. I want to play for my country.

"I want to play in the Champions Trophy and win it for my people."