Shoaib Akhtar gets PCB showcause notice

Mercurial pacer Shoaib Akhtar has run into trouble yet again with the Pakistan Cricket Board issuing him a showcause notice for allegedly violating the terms of his central contract.

Sources in the board confirmed that the notice signed by PCB Director of cricket operations Zakir Khan was sent to Shoaib two days ago, charging him with violating three clauses of his central contract.

Shoaib has been asked to submit his reply by July 31 and if the board is not satisfied with his reply, it reserves the right to penalise him.

Shoaib told a television channel that he would reply after consulting his lawyers and declined to comment on the charges.

Shoaib was last week overlooked for a one-day series in Sri Lanka and from the preliminary squad announced for the Champions Trophy.