KARACHI, (Reuters) – Pakistani all-rounder Rana Naved said he was hopeful that his 12-month ban from cricket could be lifted after a meeting with cricket board chairman Ijaz Butt yesterday.
Naved was among seven players banned or fined by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after the shambolic tour to Australia early this year, on the grounds of indiscipline and misconduct. Five have had their punishments overturned on appeal.
“I have had a good meeting with the board chairman and he has assured me he will look sympathetically at my appeal against the ban,” Naved, 32, told Reuters.
“I want to come back and play in the 2011 World Cup. I am very hopeful that the board, like it did with the other players, will accept my apology,” added Naved, who has played nine tests and 74 one-day internationals.
PCB lawyer Talib Rizvi said the appeal tribunal would hear Naved’s case on a date to be announced today.
