Source: Telegraph

Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar says he will fight the five-year ban imposed yesterday by the Pakistan Cricket Board, which would almost certainly end his international career.

Shoaib received the penalty after he voiced critical remarks about the Board’s decision to downgrade his central contract. He was already serving a two-year probation period after striking team-mate Mohammad Asif with a bat in the lead-up to the World Twenty20 championships in South Africa last year.

“I am deeply disappointed and hurt,” Akhtar said as he emerged from a disciplinary committee meeting. “I was demoted from central contract ‘A’ category, which was very hurtful and as a reaction I said something. I have apologised to the PCB, before the disciplinary committee and before everyone.

“So I thought that they would take a lenient action, but this harsh decision has effectively ended my career. I still want to play for my country.”.

Since his international debut in 1997, the 32-year-old Akhtar has always attracted controversy. He has repeatedly been accused of feigning injuries when he did not want to play, and two years ago tested positive for nandrolone - though the findings were reversed on appeal.

When fully committed, though, Akhtar has been as dangerous as any seamer in world cricket. On top of his raw pace - which saw him become the first man to record 100mph on the speed gun - he is capable of guile and deception. His 17 wickets against England in the 2005-06 series effectively won the series, and sparked a long period of English decline.

“The board has lost confidence in Shoaib Akhtar and therefore felt that his presence in the field was damaging to the Pakistan team, for Pakistan players and for the image of Pakistan cricket,” said the PCB chairman Dr Naseem Ashraf. “It’s a sad day for me and for Shoaib Akhtar because he is such a talented player.”

However, the PCB chief said that Akhtar would still be able to play for other teams around the world, clearing the fast bowler to play for the lucrative Indian Premier League next month.

“Ask the captain (Shoaib Malik), ask coach Geoff Lawson and they would vouch for me. I had played with high fever on the India tour (last year), which proved my commitment for the team,” Akhtar said. “I bowl fast so I am prone to injuries, but I have given my heart, soul and body to this team.

“I know some vested interest did not want me to be the part of the team, but I will be back.”

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Tags: , Ban, Cricket, PCB, Shoaib Akhtar