The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Islamabad

Pakistan's cricket board 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 on Tuesday. He said Akhtar could appeal the decision.

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