Karachi, July 4: The Lahore High Court has suspended the 18-month ban on pacer Shoaib Akhtar for indiscipline which will allow the fast bowler to return to international cricket if selected.

The court ruled on Friday that Shoaib was free to play for Pakistan until it reached a full decision on the writ petition filed by Akhtar. “I just want to play for my country and my fitness is okay. I might travel to England to play a few county or league matches to gain match fitness,” Shoaib said.

PCB legal counsel Tafazzaul Rizvi said that the decision was not final and the court had passed the order because it was closing for the summer vacations. Akhtar has taken 178 Test and 219 one-day wickets.