IPL blow for Shoaib

Mumbai, April 3: After the ban on Shoaib Akhtar to play matches for and in Pakistan, the fast bowler has been barred from playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well. The paceman was expected to turn out for the Kolkata Knight Riders, owned by Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment.

“A big discussion took place and the decision of the governing council was very simple — Akhtar has been banned for a period of five years, he has appealed and till the time he is cleared, he will not be allowed to play in the IPL,” IPL commissioner Lalit Modi said on Thursday.

The governing council, which includes Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, Ravi Shastri, Sunil Gavaskar and IS Bindra, met for almost two hours at the BCCI office to discuss the Akhtar issue. “What if the Indian board bans a player and the player ends up playing somewhere else?” Modi asked after the meeting. “It’s ethically not correct. Unless the ban is lifted and the PCB gives him a no-objection certificate, he can’t be allowed to play.”

Akhtar was banned for allegations of misbehaviour and misconduct. In a statement released on Tuesday, PCB had said that Akhtar had violated the players’ code of conduct and “publicly criticised the board”.

When The Indian Express contacted Dr Ashraf on Thursday evening, the PCB chairman refused to comment. “This is not the right time to say anything to the media,” he said, but added that the PCB had filed a defamation suit against the bowler for his ‘unsolicited’ comments.

Bindra — the principal advisor designate to the International Cricket Council (ICC) — also stressed the importance of the ‘international code of conduct’. “It’s not just about Pakistan allowing Akhtar to play the IPL. If he cannot play for them, he can’t play for anybody else,” he said.

The Kolkata team had bought Akhtar for $ 450,000. If he is unavailable for the tournament, they will be allowed to spend the money on a new player.

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