Shoaib Akhtar, whose five-year ban was reduced to 18 months, along with a fine of Rs 7 million (approx US$105,000) by an appellate tribunal, has said he is not happy with the decision and will review the judgement with his lawyer before deciding whether to appeal.

Nasim Ashraf, the Pakistan board chairman, said Shoaib was free to appeal in court.

"That is his decision to make," Ashraf said.

"The tribunal's verdict has nothing to do with the PCB.

I can't overturn the reduced ban on him.

The decision made by Justice Aftab Farrukh is final and it can only be challenged in the court." Meanwhile Shoaib's Indian Premier League franchise, the Kolkata Knight Riders, is not worried about the 18-month ban that could force him out of next year's IPL.

"Look, he was released in a special dispension for one month in the last IPL," Joy Bhattacharya, the chief executive of the franchise, told the Pakistan daily News.

"For the next edition, there's still 10 months left.

There's no point discussing about it now.

Things can change by that time." Farrukh, who headed the three-man tribunal, had justified the verdict by saying they had taken Shoaib's past record in to consideration along with the fact that he had publicly apologised for his behaviour.

The tribunal recommended that Shoaib be given proper counselling by the board.