Friday, May 02, 2008

IPL Authority Decided not to Allow Shoaib Akhtar in IPL

This is perhaps the final blow for Shoaib Akhtar. The star Pakistani bowler will not be able to play in IPL as IPL has not moved from its stance of allowing no banded player in the tournament. Recently an appellate tribunal of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has upheld the five-year ban imposed on Shoaib Akhtar last month, but PCB cleared him to play outside Pakistan. Shoaib Akhtar signed to play for Kolkata Knight Rider of IPL for US$450,000. However, IPL authority is not interested to have a banned player in the tournament. It is a bad news for Kolkata Knight Riders as well.

Canadian Press reported:

Akhtar had been banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board for five years on charges of indiscipline, but a PCB panel confirmed Wednesday that he was free to play outside the country.

Akhtar had signed a contract for US$450,000 to play in the IPL.

However, Board of Control for Cricket in India vice president Rajeev Shulka said it would maintain its stance of not employing any player banned by his national body.

Shoaib Akhtar has been accused of breeching code of conduct of PCB for a number of times in the past and getting punishment is not a new for Shoaib Akhtar. Just before the ICC Twenty World Championship last year, the pacer was accused of hitting fellow fast bowler Mohammad Asif in South Africa and was immediately sent back to Pakistan and was handed a ban for few matches. Shoaib Akhtar was alarmed a number of times by PCB in the past. Now, a final decision will be taken on his five year ban in July this year and by then IPL tournament will be over. So, it is clear that Shoaib Akhtar will not be able to play in the inaugural tournament of Indian Premier League.

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