PCB Allows Shoaib Akhtar in T20!

Based on the court directions, PCB has allowed Shoaib Akhtar to play in the T20 tournament even though he did not pay the fine money of Rs.70 million.

His ban was revoked, but Shoaib was asked to pay Rs.70 million as fine to PCB. Only after his payment, he will be allowed to play for Pakistan, said PCB.

Shoaib moved the court again and court asked PCB to allow him to play the T20. So, until the court hearing, he will be allowed to play at the national level.

Shoabit has to Pay the fine of Rs.70M to play for Pak: PCB

The PCB has come out open and strongly said that, Shoaib Akhtar has to pay 70 million rupees as fine to ensure that he plays for Pakistan again. He was banned for life by PCB in a major controversy. He came out openly and criticised the PCB on their selection and other policies. He questioned why he was not in the contracted players list.

His punishement of life ban was then reduced to 5 years. He went to court against the 5 year ban and got the verdict in favor of him. The ban was suspended pending complete enquiry.

Though the ban suspended by the court, the PCB is not ready to mend on the fine imposed. They want him to pay 70 million rupees for getting a play in the team for champions trophy!

Will he pay or go to court again? Or the PCB will make an U-Turn again?

Pakistan Court Asks the reason for Akhtar's Ban!

Akhtar appealed against his reduced ban in the Pakistan court. His ban was reduced from life ban to 18 months ban and 70 million rupees fine. Though it was reduced, it still did not allow him to play in the Tri-Series in Bangladesh and the Asia Cup. It will also prevent him from playing in Champions Trophy to be held in Pakistan.

He appelad aganist this reduced ban in the court and the judge has said that, "Shoaib Akhtar is hero of the Pakistan." He also asked the PCB the reason for imposing the ban on Shoaib.

Now the ball is in PCB's court to provide proper justification for his ban. It is almost sure that he will come out of this ban and play for Pakistan soon.

Good luck Shoaib!

Samuel to Fight Two Year Ban!

Marlon Samuel has hired lawyers to fight his case agains the two year ban. The disciplinary committee found Samuel breached section C4 of the ICC's Code of Conduct regulations, which involves receiving money, benefit or other reward which could bring him or the game of cricket into disrepute.

"From the outset, we wish to make it pellucidly clear that we propose to challenge the findings of the majority [3 to 1] by way of judicial enquiry, as we believe a most grave injustice has been done by their finding of our client's liability of one of the ICC's disciplinary offences," the lawyers said in a statement issued yesterday.

The lawyers raised the following points to make a case for their client:


"The evidence in the hearing was that the hotel bill paid for our client by Mr Mukesh Kochar was a loan from a friend and father-figure which was to be repaid on Marlon's return to the West Indies."

"The evidence in the hearing was that Mr Mukesh Kochar was not a bookmaker."

"The evidence in the hearing was that Marlon only came to need a loan because money which he had expected to earn from a contract to participate in a television reality show that would have earned him a sum considerably in excess of the hotel bill, did not in fact materialise. Further, his credit card which he had tendered to meet the bill, was declined."

"It is because of the foregoing why we consider that an application for judicial review stands a realistic chance of success and we, therefore, propose to pursue it actively," the attorneys said.

Akhtar to Appeal agaisnt the Ban!

Pakistan pace bowler Shoaib Akthar has said that he will be appeal in the court against the ban imposed on him couple of days back. He was banned for speaking against PCB.

He said that he is innocent and has apologized already for all his mistakes. He is also not a contracted player with the PCB and there is no reason why he should answer PCB. He does not follow in the code and conduct rules and regulagations.

Shoaib was banned for comments he made after not being offered a contract by the PCB, in which he lashed out at domestic tournaments, pitches and the administration. He was already in probation following a dispute with Asif and for hitting him with bat.

Akhtar said that he was deeply disappointed and hurt and he would go to court and fight against the ban. He said that he was demoted from central contract 'A' category, which was very hurtful and as a reaction he said something. He said that he still wants to play for his country.

Shoaib has been plagued by injury and controversy since he began his international career in November 1997. He was twice sidelined over throwing allegations and was also banned for a breach of code on tour and ball-tampering.


We have to wait and see whether he will be successful in his appeal against the ban and the fight with the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Dalmiya Moves to Court, HC takes the Case!

The Kolkata High Court today took up the perjury case filed by former BCCI Chairman Jagmohan Dalmiya against BCCI and its president Sharad Pawar for allegedly producing false documents before the court. This would be heard on April 18.



The perjury case was filed by Dalmiya on July 20, 2007 on the day the High Court had declared that his suspension from the Board was illegal.

The former top boss of Indian cricket had alleged in the perjury case under Section 340 of Criminal Procedure Code that the Board had submitted false documents before the court. Apart from the Board and Pawar, the perjury case was filed against Niranjan Shah, Shashank Manohar and Chirayu Amin -- all top functionaries of the present BCCI management.



Dalmiya had been suspended by the Board on December 16, 2006, and subsequently forced to resign as President of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB).



The former Indian cricket boss challenged the BCCI's punitive action against him before the Calcutta High Court, which said the suspension was illegal on July 20, 2007.



All this issues came up when BCCI filed a case against Dalmiya on corruption charges--misappropriating the fund to the tune of rupees 2.9 crores.

Dalmiya Arrested and Released in Bail!

Dalmiya was arrested today and released on bail later in the day. He was charged with mishandling the funds of the BCCI to the tune of 2.9 crores rupees.

BCCI states that he has paid amount to SK Industries without getting any service from them. Also, he has claimed bills for his personal travel and expenses.

Dalmiya said that the court has ruled in favor of him in the past and truth will come out in time. Any built up facts cannot equal the truth.

Close friends and other senior cricketers felt that this is not a good situation. They said that Dalmiya contributed to the growth of the Indian cricket. He has taken Cricket to other nations as well.