By IANS,
Karachi : Temperamental fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar’s five-year ban was reduced to 18-months, but a fine of Rs. 7 million slapped on him by the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) tribunal here Saturday.
“The tribunal has taken the decision with a clear conscience and under no pressure from either the board or anyone else,” tribunal chief Aftab Farrukh told reporters here, adding that the three-member tribunal unanimously felt the original sentence was too harsh on the player.
In April, Shoaib was banned for five years for repeatedly violating the code of conduct.
“We also took into consideration the past record of Shoaib and his publicly apology for his behaviour and past deeds,” Farrukh said.
“He has promised to reform himself and we have also recommended to the board that he should be given proper counselling.”
The fast bowler’s lawyer Abid Hasan Minto said the player had the right to pursue an appeal against the 18-month ban.
“But we will take a decision after going through the long and detailed order of the tribunal,” Minto said.