Shoaib Considers Options

Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has not ruled out making a further appeal against the ban imposed on him by the Pakistan Cricket Board despite seeing his original suspension reduced.

The 32-year-old was handed a five-year ban by the PCB in April for disciplinary reasons, but a three-member tribunal reduced that to 18 months on Saturday following an appeal by the bowler.

The ban means Shoaib, who has not played a match for his country this year, will miss both the Asia Cup and the Champions Trophy. Both tournaments will be hosted by Pakistan later this year.

And the player, who was also fined seven million rupees, admitted he was unhappy with the verdict.

"I am disappointed with the tribunal's decision," he said.

"I want to play for my country again. This is like giving someone half life.

"We will decide on the next step once my lawyer gets a full copy of the verdict."

However, PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf said Shoaib would not have the right to appeal again.

Speaking on Pakistani television, Ashraf said: "Shoaib Akhtar cannot appeal against the verdict. He can only counsel the court against the verdict."

Shoaib had already been serving a two-year ban for hitting fellow paceman Mohammad Asif in a dressing room altercation just before the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa.

The five-year ban was then imposed after Shoaib had publicly criticised the PCB's allocation of central contracts to players earlier this year. Shoaib's own contract had been downgraded.

However, the tribunal had temporarily lifted the ban to allow Shoaib to participate in the Indian Premier League, where he had a brief stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders.

And Kolkata chief executive officer, Joy Bhattacharya, was unconcerned about the latest announcement despite the possibility of losing the player next season.

"He was released for a month in the last IPL," Bhattacharya said. "There is still 10 months to go for the next edition.

"A lot can happen between now and then. There is no point talking about it now."

The Kolkata Knight Riders paid $425,000 for Shoaib, who has a three-year contract with them.