Shoaib can only go to court: PCB

Shoaib Akhtar hints at appealing against PCB's decision to ban him for 18 months and impose a hefty Rs 7 million fine.

Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar on Sunday hinted at going in appeal against the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision to ban him for 18 months and impose a hefty Rs 7 million fine. But PCB chairman Nasim Ashraff said he could only go to a court of law in appeal.

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The 32-year-old fast bowler from Rawalpindi was handed a five-year ban by the PCB in April on grounds of indiscipline. But a three-member tribunal reduced that ban to 18 months on Saturday on Shoaib's appeal.

Shoaib said he was unhappy with the tribunal's 2-1 verdict.

"I am disappointed with the tribunal's decision. I want to play for my country again. This is like giving someone half-life. We will decide on the next step after my lawyers study the full judgment," the fast bowler said.

Ashraff told a television channel that Shoaib cannot appeal against the verdict. "He, however, is free to go to high court or even the Supreme Court in appeal."

Asraff said: "I can't overturn the three-man tribunal's verdict as it has nothing to do with the PCB. The decision of Justice Aftab Farrukh is final and it can only be challenged in the court."