This is a fairly simple prognosis as Shoaib Akhtar has always come up with flashes of blinding brilliance but has always failed to replicate them with any consistency.

Shoaib Akhtar has attended so many hearings that he might fancy his chances as an attorney or arbitrator. But his figures of 4-11 in 3 overs against Delhi Daredevils indicate that he need not mull any alternative careers as yet. Many analysts with all their cricketing acumen and recondite knowledge thought he will not have much of an impact. He has planted a tight slap across their face and proved them embarrassingly wrong.

But yours truly is adventurous enough to stick his neck out and say that Akhtar’s maiden IPL match might be a false dawn and that he will not come close to anything like it in the forthcoming matches. This is a fairly simple prognosis as Shoaib Akhtar has always come up with flashes of blinding brilliance but has always failed to replicate them with any consistency.

He is no stranger to controversies and injuries resulting in long layoffs, and subsequent come backs. He normally doesn’t finish an entire series and I can only remember his performance against a touring England side more than a couple of years ago where he lived to the hoopla normally associated with him. However, the ban might bring the best out in him and he might like the IPL for the light work he is supposed to perform - albeit in a very tense environment – compared to international cricket.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has upheld its five-year ban imposed on fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.

Aftab Farukh, the judge heading a three-member appellate panel on Monday said, “Basically he has not tried to reform himself and has continued to violate discipline. That is the view of the tribunal so the ban stays.”

“We will not suspend five-year ban order on Shoaib.

“Shoaib has harmed the board, fans and the entire country,” he added.
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Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar on Wednesday was found guilty on all charges by the disciplinary committee and PCB’s decision to ban him from playing cricket for the national side for 5 years was upheld. This came in after the committee heard his plea and kept in mind the public apology tendered by the fiery speedster. The ban puts the 32 year old pacer’s comeback in the national side after the term ends, in deep waters, but he will be able to earn a living by playing in IPL and other similar leagues.

The committee said that Akhtar’s apology was a crucial factor that fetched him the opportunity to play in other matches except for those for Pakistan’s national team.
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Watch Modi in IPL press conference announcing Harbhajan Singh Ban for 11 IPL matches for slapping sreesanth.

Harbhajan Singh Banned for 11 matches in IPL for slapping sreesanth , in a hearing today in Delhi.This makes Bhajji out of IPL unless Mumbai Indians reaches Semi finals of IPL.In hearing, Bhajji accepted slapping Sreesanth after Mumbai Indians vs Punjab XI Kings match.Sreesanth let off with a warning. Match referee Farokh Engineer found Harbhajan guilty of Level 4.2 offence and imposed a 11-match IPL ban on him with immediate effect.The match referee got video footage from 7 different angles, which were sufficient to nail Harbhajan. He had no option but to plead guilty and wait for the verdict. He also submitted the explanation letter in reply to BCCI’s show cause notice issued to him a couple of days ago. He regreted for huring Sreesanth’s sentiments.Harbhajan was also fined 100% match fee.Lalchand Rajput Fined 15% of match fee pressing Level 2 charge cuz he as behind Harbhajan singh when he slapped Sreesanth and didn’t do anything to stop it.
Harbhajan Singh may also face further action from BCCI after another indipendent inquiry done by BCCI.

Michael Vaughan, the English captain with a puritanical countenance, has enunciated his displeasure at the IPL ban on English players. Vaughan feels that the ban imposed by the ECB is naïve. “I’ve heard so many people say that all the best players in the world are there and you want to go and play in it,” the English skipper said. His statement is a little out of the blue as Kevin Pietersen has been functioning as the English team’s official spokesperson on IPL matters hitherto.

Meanwhile, IS Bindra, member of IPL’s governing council and soon-to-be ICC’s principal advisor, bristled at the idea of English players rejecting their national contracts to play in the IPL. “We will not have any player revolting against their establishment and becoming part of the IPL,” he explicitly told BBC Sport.
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New Delhi: The organisers of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will not allow Shoaib Akhtar to participate in their upcoming championship if the ban imposed on him by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is not revoked, according to Lalit Modi.

“The decision has been taken on the basis of the ban imposed on him by the PCB. If he is able to clear the ban, we will take him in the IPL,” said the IPL Commissioner.

Akhtar was banned by the PCB for a period of five years following an outburst against national selectors, who did not name him in an ‘A’ list of players.
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