Akhtar refused entry into IPL
01/05/2008 16:35  - (SA)  

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New Delhi - Banned Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar will not be allowed to play in the Indian Premier League despite being cleared to do so by his country's cricket authorities, an IPL official said Thursday.

Akhtar had been banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board for five years on charges of indiscipline, but a PCB panel confirmed Wednesday that he was free to play outside the country.

Akhtar had signed a contract for US$450,000 (289,836) to play in the IPL.

However, Board of Control for Cricket in India vice president Rajeev Shulka said it would maintain its stance of not employing any player banned by his national body.

"There's no going back on our earlier stance, there's no question of a rethink on the matter," Shulka was quoted as saying Thursday by Indian Express newspaper.

The PCB is due to make a final ruling on Akhtar's five-year ban in June.

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