Shoaib Akhtar banned for 5 years

Shoaib Akhtar, right, is ineligible to play in Pakistan or for Pakistan anywhere else in the world [AFP] Shoaib Akhtar, Pakistan fast bowler, has been banned for five years by the Pakistan Cricket Baord (PCB) for repeated disciplinary breaches, effectively ending the paceman's controversial career. The 32-year-old appeared before a disciplinary committee charged with publicly criticising the country's cricket board, and was already on two years' probation for hitting teammate Mohammad Asif with a bat last year. Akhtar, the world's fastest bowler, immediately vowed to contest the ban in court to save an 11-year career that has been plagued by injuries, discipline problems and a doping scandal in 2007. "The committee has recommended a five year-ban on Shoaib Akhtar," Nasim Ashraf, PCB chairman, told reporters. "He will be ineligible to play in Pakistan or to play for Pakistan anywhere else in the world.