LAHORE, July 4: A Pakistani court on Friday said Shoaib Akhtar was free to play cricket again after suspending an 18-month ban imposed on the paceman by the country’s cricket authorities for indiscipline.

A judge at the Lahore High Court (LHC) ruled that the 32-year-old Shoaib should be allowed to play until his appeal against the ban is heard, most likely in September.

Shoaib lodged an appeal with the court on Tuesday against an 18-month ban for indiscipline, the latest in a string of controversies involving the bowler.

The ban was originally for five years but was reduced last month.

“While accepting his application for interim relief (until the appeal is heard), the court has allowed Shoaib Akhtar to play cricket,” Judge Zahid Hussain told the court in Lahore, adding: “The petition will be heard after the summer vacation,” which ends in September.”

Shoaib welcomed the decision and said he wanted to play in the ICC Champions Trophy, which Pakistan hosts in September.

“I am relieved,” Shoaib said after the hearing. “I am keeping fit and I’m going to England and try to play some county or league matches there and get in shape for the Champions Trophy.”

Shoaib added that he wanted to clear his name.

“I owe my name and fame to Pakistan, so I will never defame my country. I want to win the Champions Trophy for my country and for that I need everyone’s support,” he stated.

“I am thankful to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf for his support in the last two months,” he added.

A PCB disciplinary committee banned Shoaib for five years in April for several incidents of indiscipline and for violating the conditions of a two-year probation period imposed for hitting team-mate Mohammad Asif with a bat. However, an appellate committee reduced the suspension to 18 months and imposed a fine of seven million rupees ($115,000) in June.

The PCB confirmed Friday’s decision.

“Shoaib’s appeal to stay the ban was upheld, which means he is temporarily allowed to play until the petition is heard, but he will have to give the fine,” PCB lawyer Tafazzul Hussain Rizvi said. Chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed said Shoaib’s place in the Pakistan team “will depend on his fitness.”—AFP