The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sued paceman Shoaib Akhtar for 200 million rupees (three million dollars) on Thursday for making allegedly defamatory comments after he was banned for five years.

Akhtar was banned by the PCB on Tuesday, a move that effectively ends his career after a series of disciplinary problems culminating in a public outburst against the board for not giving him a contract.

"Wo demand the immediate retraction of allegations from Akhtar in various statements which were malicious and baseless," PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf told AFP

"Ue must apologise and pay damages of 100 million rupees to the PCB and damages of 100 mil-

lion rupees to me."

In a letter made public by the board, lawyers, for PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf demanded the money for a "malicious and vile piece of defamation" allegedly made by Akhtar in a television interview on Wednesday.

The letter said that in the interview with the Express News Channel, Akhtar alleged that Ashraf had "pressurised you for and tried to extort from you" payments from Akhtar's Indian Premier League contract, and that the five-year ban was a response to Akhtar's alleged refusal.

Akhtar and several other Pakistan players have signed for the multi-billion dollar IPL, which starts from April 18.

The lawyers' letter said he should pay Ashraf 100 million rupees "for defaming him personally" and the same amount again

"for sullying the name of the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Pakistan cricket team."

"By alleging that players have given me a commission to join the IPL, he has tarnished the image of his fcllowplayers as well.” said.Ashraf.

Reports from India said the IPL has also barred Akhtar from featuring in the lucrative league until his five-year ban is averted.

Ashraf denied he put any pressure on the IPL to stop Akhtar playing for them. The PCB said Tuesday that Akhtar was only banned from playing for Pakistan or in Pakistan.

"We stand by our commitment to allow Akhtar to play anywhere in the world and it's the IPL’s decision to ban him from playing, we have nothing to do with that." said the PCB chairman.

Ashraf said the ban on Akhtar had nothing to do with any personal confrontation with the fast bowler.

"It (the ban) is a matter between the PCB and Akhtar but the malicious, baseless and outrageous allegations he has levelled against me are mud slinging and I will fight that myself," saidAshraf.

Ashraf said if Akhtar appeals against the ban the matter will be dealt with by the book.

"I have the right to be the head of the appellate committee but I withdraw myself from that We will form an independent committee to take up his appeal because I maintain that I have no personal tiling against him," he said.