Nadeem
04-30-2008, 05:30 PM
New Delhi: Banned Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar made an unconditional apology to the PCB tribunal hearing his appeal against a five-year ban on Monday.
Shoaib was suspended for five years earlier this month for repeated disciplinary violations, the most recent being his criticism of board policies when the new central contracts were announced in January.
Shoaib had filed his appeal earlier this month and his lawyers had claimed the ban was illegal and unconstitutional.
Abid Hasan Minto, Shoaib Akhtar's lawyer read out his written apology. "I would like to apologise from the bottom of my heart for any grief and embarrassment that I may have caused my nation, my team and the PCB, particularly the chairman, Dr Nasim Ashraf, for levelling unsubstantiated allegations against him."
"As Mr Minto said about the proceeding that is also my statement, and thanks to your support — the Pakistan media and public," Shoaib added later.
Shoaib was suspended for five years earlier this month for repeated disciplinary violations, the most recent being his criticism of board policies when the new central contracts were announced in January.
Shoaib had filed his appeal earlier this month and his lawyers had claimed the ban was illegal and unconstitutional.
Abid Hasan Minto, Shoaib Akhtar's lawyer read out his written apology. "I would like to apologise from the bottom of my heart for any grief and embarrassment that I may have caused my nation, my team and the PCB, particularly the chairman, Dr Nasim Ashraf, for levelling unsubstantiated allegations against him."
"As Mr Minto said about the proceeding that is also my statement, and thanks to your support — the Pakistan media and public," Shoaib added later.