February 20, 2008	Wednesday	Safar 12, 1429

LAHORE, Feb 19: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), despite vowing to take disciplinary action against Shoaib Akhtar for criticising the board by giving press statements, has now allowed the controversial fast bowler to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

“The PCB has no objections over Shoaib’s appearing in the IPL and the bowler is in India with permission from us to directly sign up with the leaguers, without signing the board’s central contract,” PCB Chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf said on Tuesday.

Shoaib, who after facing a 13-match ban and a Rs3.4 million fine for multiple charges last year, is still under two years’ probation and any further misconduct from him would have him facing a life ban.

Shoaib’s attitude in the past is the reason for his not being offered the players’ central contract for this year by the PCB. Instead he was offered a monthly stipend of Rs75,000, which he turned down.

But PCB’s decision of allowing him to play for the IPL is rather surprising as its Chief Operating Officer (COO) Shafqat Naghmi, earlier, while issuing Shoaib a notice, along with Danish Kaneria, for also issuing press statements, had said that without signing the central contract with the PCB, the bowler, dubbed as ‘Rawalpindi Express’ could not play for the IPL.

When asked how the PCB could recommend such an undisciplined player to play abroad, the chairman said he would not be playing there in the national kit.

However, the chairman disclosed that it could happen that Shoaib faces a life ban from the PCB for issuing the statements but continue to play for the IPL.

“Shoaib has replied to the notice served to him on Feb 11 along with Kaneria for openly criticising the PCB. Though I have yet to see that reply, Shoaib may face a life ban for his misconduct for which I may either take a direct decision or refer the case to the disciplinary committee,” he said.

Shoaib after the issuance of the notice had vowed to not respond to it since he had not signed the central contract with the board. But sources told Dawn that he has asked for an apology and thus has been allowed to play for the IPL.