ISLAMABAD, April 2, 2008 (AFP) - Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said Wednesday that he had been 'victimised' by the country's cricket authorities after they banned him for five years for disciplinary problems.

ISLAMABAD, April 1, 2008 (AFP) - Former Pakistan greats Tuesday condemned a five-year ban on fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, saying the country's new parliament should sack cricket board officials to save the sport in the country.

ISLAMABAD, April 1, 2008 (AFP) - Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar said Tuesday he will fight a five-year ban imposed on him by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for violating the players' code of conduct.

'I am deeply disappointed and hurt. I will go to court and fight against the ban,' Akhtar told AFP minutes after a disciplinary committee imposed the ban.

ISLAMABAD, April 1, 2008 (AFP) - Pakistan banned maverick paceman Shoaib Akhtar from playing cricket for five years on Tuesday for violating the players' code of conduct, the country's cricket chief said.

ISLAMABAD, April 1, 2008 (AFP) - Pakistani paceman Shoaib Akhtar is set to learn his fate later Tuesday after appearing before a disciplinary committee on charges of violating the players' code of conduct, officials said.

LONDON, Feb 12, 2008 (AFP) - Lee Bowyer has escaped a three-match ban after having the red card he received during West Ham's 1-1 draw with Birmingham rescinded on appeal.

The Hammers midfielder was dismissed for what appeared to be a two-footed tackle on Birmingham captain Damien Johnson near the end of the match.