Shah Rukh Khan defends Shoaib Akhtar, wants him in IPL Kolkata
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, owner of Kolkata Knight Riders, has jumped into the defence of troubled cricket star Shoaib Akhtar, who has been banned for five years by the Pakistan Cricket Board.
IPL boss Lalit Modi has said till the PCB ban is lifted Shoaib cannot play in IPL. Shah Rukh Khan has said he will ask the BCCI to permit Shoaib Akhtar to play in IPL. Shah Rukh Khan’s Kolkata Knight Riders had bagged Shoaib Akhtar for Rs 1.8 crore.Shah Rukh Khan’s contention is that IPL matches does not have international status.But IPL is not likely to budge as it doesnt want to antagonise cricket boards. IPL may give Kolkata Knight Riders
an option to replace Shoaib Akhtar with another player.
Shoaib Akhtarwas banned by PCB’s disciplinary panel for repeated violation of discipline.But the issue is spiralling out of control, with Shoaib Akhtar accusing the PCB chief, Nasim Ashraf tried to “extract money” from him.
Shoaib Akhtar also said he was offered money to throw away matches. An angry PCB has now demanded Rs 20 crore as damages.The ICC anti-corruption wing will now summon Shoaib Akhtar to investigate his charges.