Shoaib Akhtar is in real trouble. After the Pakistan board banned him for 5 years, IPL chief Lalit Modi announced that till the PCB lifts the ban, he cannot play in the IPL.

So if IPL is out and international cricket is out, Shoaib had a great option in the ICL. Around 20 ex-international Pakistani cricketers are playing in the ICL already and Shoaib could join that. But now after Kapil Dev ’s statement that ICL would like to avoid any clash with any board, well the ICL option also looks dim.

Shoib Akhtar after being banned, came up with some serious allegations against the PCB. He claimed that the PCB chief Dr Nasim Ashraf tried to “extort” payments from him. So now the PCB wants Rs.20 crore for the damages. The ICC anti corruption will now interview Shoaib on his claims that he was offered money to throw off matches.

Shahrukh Khan , the owner of Kolkata IPL team will be requesting the IPL chief Lalit Modi to allow Shoaib to play the IPL. Well Shahrukh Khan is believed to be a close friend of Lalit, and Modi surely would have notified SRK on this before announcing this. So BCCI / IPL is now trying to appease the Pakistan board for sure. Why would you ban Shoaib from IPL when his team owner wants him. PCB has also allowed Shoaib to play the IPL, why would BCCI decide to ban ?

It has been pretty harsh on Shoaib. Banning him for 5 years is almost like a life ban. PCB atleast kept the option of Shoaib playing in the IPL or the county cricket but IPL and BCCI are moving one step extra to ensure that the Rawalpindi express is not seen performing in any cricket. With IPL starting in 2 weeks, and Lalit Modi and SRK ’s different opinions, make us believe that in the next 2 weeks, we will surely have some developments. Watch this space !