Karachi:  A civil court in Lahore today adjourned the hearing of a defamation suit filed by Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Nasim Ashraf against Shoaib Akhtar for levelling corruption charges against him on a television show soon after being banned for five years by the Board.

Ashraf's lawyer Tafazzul Rizvi said the court had issued notices to both parties for the next date of hearing.

Ashraf has filed the suit for 220 million rupees against Shoaib for accusing him for asking money from Pakistani cricketers playing in the Indian Premier League.

Rizvi said though Shoaib had made an unconditional apology before the appellate tribunal hearing his appeal against the ban imposed on him, it would have no bearing on the defamation suit.

"Yes, he has apologised before the tribunal for causing grief and hurt to the Chairman of the Board with his unsubstantiated allegations but no apology has been sent to us specifically. So my client is clear about pursuing this suit as he enjoys an impeccable reputation in society," Rizvi said.

Shoaib's lawyer Abid Hasan Minto said so far the bowler had not asked them to represent him in the defamation case. 
Source : PTI