April 04, 2008	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 26, 1429

NEW DELHI, April 3: Pakistan’s banned fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will not be allowed to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) until his suspension is lifted, league chairman Lalit Modi said on Thursday.

The controversial bowler was handed a five-year ban on Tuesday by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for disciplinary reasons.

The PCB had said the player can feature in the lucrative Twenty20 league starting on April 18.

“Shoaib has been banned from playing and until his ban is lifted he cannot play in the IPL,” Modi said. “We know his appeal against the ban is coming up for hearing.

“We’re hoping his ban will be lifted. He is a great player and we want him to play. But he cannot play in IPL as long as the ban is applicable.”

The 32-year-old fast bowler has threatened to take the PCB to court over the decision.

He has been signed up for the Kolkata team in the eight-team franchise league, promoted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and endorsed by all major national boards.

—Reuters