Akhtar

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP):

THE PAKISTAN Cricket Board (PCB) has banned fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar from international and domestic cricket for five years for making critical comments about the sport's national governing body.

Board chairman Nasim Ashraf announced the ban yesterday. He said Akhtar could appeal the decision.

Akhtar, who, at his peak, was the fastest bowler in cricket, appeared earlier yesterday before a disciplinary committee after he reportedly criticised the PCB for not awarding him one of the top contracts to play for the national team.