April 4, 2008 - Shoaib Akhtar has filed an appeal with the Pakistan Cricket Board against the five-year ban imposed on him.

"I have followed the procedures of the board. I have respect for the law, the board rules and the chairman," he said.

On Thursday, the PCB and its chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf began legal proceedings over allegations Shoaib, 32, made after being handed his lengthy suspension.

The PCB denies it has been told by the prime minister to review its punishment of the controversial fast bowler.

Chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi said: "No-one from the government has given us any instructions on this issue."

He added: "The tribunal will reach a decision based on facts not because of any politics."

Shoaib's lawyer, Azeem Danyal, claimed the ban for disciplinary breaches was illegal and unconstitutional and was confident of having it removed.

"We have asked the board to give us a copy of the detailed judgement of the disciplinary committee by Monday after which we can prepare our case," he said.

Naghmi said once the copy was given to Shoaib's lawyers, the seven-day period to begin the appeal proceedings would start.

He insisted: "All the procedures of the board constitution were followed properly. Shoaib was given a fair chance to defend himself."