Shoaib Akhtar is free to play in the Indian Premier League after his five-year ban was suspended for one month by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

A PCB appeals panel opted to delay the fast bowler's ban, which bars him from all cricket in or for Pakistan, until June 3.

PCB spokesman Amir Bilal said: "The PCB has always shown a flexible view to Shoaib Akhtar.

"We said it at the outset that we have nothing personal against him. What ever happened has been done as per rules and regulations.

"It is because of the chairman of PCB that he was not given a life ban and just given five years. So it was the tribunal itself which opted to give him a one-month suspension so he can play in the IPL.

"If the IPL gives him permission to play we have no problem."

Shoaib's ban, which he received last month for breaching the players' code of conduct, had been upheld only last Wednesday by a three-man appeal hearing in Lahore.

The 32-year-old was signed by IPL side Kolkata Knight Riders for US dollars 425,000, but it looked doubtful he would be able to feature in the tournament as a player must be eligible to represent his country to take part in the league.

But this suspension frees up Shoaib to feature in the remainder of the tournament, which runs until June 1.

9:47am Tuesday 6th May 2008

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