Banned Akhtar can't play in IPL, served legal notice by PCB

Struggling to save his career following a five-year ban, controversial Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar today suffered a huge monetary setback after he was debarred from taking part in the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL). As if the IPL setback was not enough, Akhtar was also served a legal notice by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for making defamatory comments against the chairman, Nasim Ashraf.

The IPL organisers, who had stated yesterday that Akhtar would have no problems in playing in the twenty20 venture, today did a u-turn and said the fast bowler could take part only if the ban on him was lifted.

The IPL's Governing Council Chairman Lalit Modi said Akhtar's fate in the IPL will now be decided by the verdict of the appeal that he intends to file tomorrow against the ban, which has been described as being too harsh by several former Pakistan captains.

"A big discussion on Akhtar has taken place. The decision of the Governing Council was very simple that Akhtar has been banned for a period of five years, he has appealed... And till the time he is cleared the Governing Council will not be allowing Akhtar from playing in the IPL," Modi said in Mumbai.

The BCCI vice-President said it was now up to the PCB to take a decision on the matter.

"So if his appeal is upheld he will be taken into the IPL," Modi said.

Akhtar, who has been roped in by the Kolkata Knightriders owned by Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan for Rs 1.8 crore, will stand to lose the entire amount if he does not play in the league, which begins April 18.