The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Lahore

A judge has suspended an 18-month playing ban imposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board on fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar for disciplinary violations.

Despite Friday's ruling by Lahore High Court judge Sayed Zahid Hussain, it was not immediately clear whether the 32-year-old Akhtar would be eligible for the Champions Trophy later this year. The ban was suspended until when the court resumes hearing the case in early September. Pakistan hosts the Champions Trophy from Sept. 11-28.

"I am relieved," Akhtar said after the ruling. "I want to play for my country."

Nicknamed the "Rawalpindi Express," Akhtar said he might play some county matches in England to gain match fitness for the Champions Trophy.

"I want to play in the Champions Trophy and win it for my people," Akhtar said.

Akhtar was banned for five years on April 1 by a PCB tribunal, which also imposed a 7 million rupee (US$102,900) fine, for criticizing selectors.

The ban was later reduced to 18 months by the appellate tribunal of the Pakistan Cricket Board.

The judge's written ruling made clear a final decision will be made in September.

"I am persuaded and inclined to take the view that the petitioner is entitled to some interim relief," Hussain wrote.

"The ban on him from playing cricket will remain suspended until after the summer vacation 2008 when the petition will be fixed for hearing."

Akhtar's lawyer Abid Manto said he had got what he wanted. "We had sought an interim order from the court that the ban on the fast bowler should be suspended until a final decision of this case. Our plea is that he shouldn't be deprived of his right to play cricket," Manto told reporters.

The April 1 ban on Akhtar was imposed after he publicly criticized the PCB for omitting him from its roster of the top 15 contracted players. At the time, he refused to sign a lesser contract.

Akhtar was already on probation after the PCB fined him 3.4 million Pakistani rupees (about US$52,000), ordered him to undergo psychiatric counseling and imposed a 13-match international ban last year for hitting fellow bowler Mohammad Asif with a bat before the Twenty20 world championship in South Africa.

At his peak, Akhtar was the fastest bowler in cricket but his 46-test career has been restricted by injuries.

He has 178 test wickets at an average of 25.69 and 219 wickets at 23.2 in 138 limited-overs internationals.

Akhtar last played a test match against India in December before he was sidelined due to a back problem. Akhtar tested positive for steroids in 2006 in an out-of-competition test but had his two-year ban overturned by an appeals committee.