Shoaib cannot play in IPL: BCCI sources

Though the Pakistan Cricket Board has cleared Shoaib Akhtar to play in the Indian Premier League for Kolkata Knight Riders, the controversial fast bowler still cannot play in the Twenty20 League as per the cricket board's recent decision. "Unless he is cleared to play for Pakistan, he cannot play in the IPL. This was the decision taken by the special general body of the BCCI at Bangalore before the start of the Twenty20 event," informed BCCI sources here on Wednesday. Akhtar's appeal against the five-year ban imposed by the PCB for indiscipline was on Wednesday rejected by a three-member appeal tribunal which, however, said he was free to resume his career overseas. Farrukh Aftab, chairman of the appeal tribunal, has said that the temperamental pacer can play in the IPL promoted by the BCCI but cannot play for Pakistan internationally or nationally. Akhtar was bought for $425,000 (approx Rs 1.7 crore) by the Kolkata franchise team owned by Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan's Red Chillies Entertainment.