ISLAMABAD, Oct 17: A Lahore court on Friday postponed a hearing into Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar’s pending fine for one week.

“The judge was not available today and the new date is set for Oct. 24,” Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lawyer Tafazzul Rizvi told The Associated Press.

The PCB is seeking a ruling from the Lahore High Court (LHC) judge Sayed Zahid Hussain on whether Shoaib is eligible to play in, or for, Pakistan without paying an outstanding 7 million Pakistan rupee ($84,000) fine.

Despite the pending court decision, the cricket board allowed Shoaib to compete in the four-nation Twenty20 event in Canada last week in “the national interest.”

Shoaib was fined and handed a five-year ban in April by a PCB tribunal for a disciplinary breach after he criticised the national selectors. The ban was later reduced to 18 months by another tribunal, but a heavy fine was recommended.The LHC in July suspended Shoaib’s 18-month ban, but did not give any ruling against the financial penalty.—AP