Won't go to India if not allowed to play in IPL: Shoaib

OUT IN THE COLD: Pakistan's banned fast bowler arrives to face the tribunal at Pakistan Cricket Academy on Monday.

Banned pacer Shoaib Akhtar says he is keen to play in the Indian Premier League but getting the nod to play in the twenty20 venture would not stop him from pursuing his appeal against the five-year ban imposed on him.

"I am waiting for the IPL order myself as I am keen to play some cricket. But if I don't get permission to play for the Kolkata team I have no intentions of going to India in any capacity," Shoaib said.

Shoaib told Pakistan’s Geo TV that he would continue to fight his battle to clear himself regardless of whether he gets a chance to play in the Indian Premier League or not.

Shoaib is awaiting a final word from the governing council of the IPL on whether they are ready to allow him to play for the Shahrukh Khan owned, Kolkata Knight Riders team.

The three-member appellate tribunal headed by Justice (retd) Farrukh Aftab yesterday rejected an application from Shoaib's lawyers to stay the ban imposed on him by the PCB.

But the tribunal said it had no objection to Shoaib playing anywhere outside Pakistan till the proceedings of the tribunal resume on the appeal filed by the fast bowler against the ban in June.