Malik defers challenging PCB ban for a week

Shoaib Malik has said that he is seeking legal advice to challenge the PCB ban.

Former Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik,who was banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for a year,has said that he is still consulting his friends and seeking legal advice to challenge the ban.

Malik said he has deferred his plans to appeal against the ban by a week. I want to appeal but I have deferred it (appeal) for seven days because I want to complete consultation with my friends,lawyers and other well-wishers on the issue, The Dawn quoted Malik,as saying.

I am leaving for Sharjah to play the Bangladesh League matches there and will return after one week to decide when to file the appeal, he added. The PCB has given 30 days time to challenge its decision.

Earlier,Malik had said that he would appeal against the PCBs ban on every possible forum. I will fight against the ban and go to every possible platform to prove my innocence. I want to prove my innocence as there have been no cases of indiscipline in my 11-year career, Malik had said.

The veteran of 29 Tests and 190 One-day Internationals said he has always given his best for the country and would fight for justice. I am innocent and I always played for the country throughout my 11-year career. I will knock every door to get justice, Malik said.

Malik was banned for a year and slapped a hefty fine along with fast bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan following the recommendations of an inquiry committee,which was formed to look into Pakistans woeful performance in Australia.

The PCB had also banned former captains Mohammed Younis and Younis Khan for an indefinite period on the committees recommendation. The senior players were found guilty of being involved in infighting in the team and creating rifts among players.

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