Court ruling to determine if cricket star can play in Canada
Thu, October 09 2008
Akhtar, who is itching to return to national duty after a gap of almost 10 months, is fighting in the LHC a fine of about $90,000 imposed on him by a court for several disciplinary breaches in April this year. The court was scheduled to hold a hearing Friday over a writ filed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) against Akhtar for not paying the fine, but had to postpone it because of the Eid holidays.
PCB lawyer Tafazzul Rizvi said that chief justice of LHC Syed Zahid Hussain set Oct. 8 as the new date for the hearing.
The PCB filed a petition in the court seeking guidance on whether Akhtar can play cricket in or for Pakistan without paying the fine.
The 33-year-old paceman was banned for five years for criticizing the PCB’s failure to award him a central contract. It was later reduced by an appeals commission to 18 months, but the commission also imposed the fine. Lahore High Court suspended the ban in July but upheld the fine.
The PCB has included Akhtar in the preliminary squad for the Toronto quadrangular to be played Oct. 10-13.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board has sent Akhtar’s passport to the Canadian embassy to obtain a visa for him.
Akhtar has not played for Pakistan since last December when he featured in the third Test against India in Bangalore.
Since then he has been out of the national squad either due to injury or suspension.
Akhtar tried taking the first step toward his international comeback by playing in a couple of county games for Surrey this season. But he was unable to prove his form and fitness in those outings.
Pakistan is scheduled to leave for Toronto on Oct. 8 for the four-nation Twenty20 tournament that will also feature Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and host Canada.
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