ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP):

PAKISTAN PACEMAN Shoaib Akhtar said yesterday he would appeal a five-year ban imposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and threatened to go to court if it was not lifted.

On Tuesday, officials banned Akhtar from all domestic and international matches for repeated breaches of discipline.

Akhtar, dubbed the 'Rawalpindi Express' for his high-speed bowling, told a news conference that the ban was excessive and alleged that he had been "victimised".

"I have not murdered anyone to deserve such tough punishment," he said in Islamabad, as dozens of supporters chanted slogans against the board and demanded the lifting of ban.

Akhtar said he would file an appeal with the cricket board tomorrow or Saturday. If the ban was not lifted, he said he would "go to higher authorities and seek the court's help".

He urged his supporters "not to cause any damage to public property".

Akhtar said he had recovered from his fitness problems and that he had played for the national team in the past even when ill.

Guilty of indiscipline

"Whatever I am, it is because of Pakistan," he said.

Board Chairman Nasim Ashraf said on Tuesday that Akhtar was guilty of repeated indiscipline which was harming the team and had even "affected the image of the country".

He said Akhtar could appeal and was still able to participate in the Indian Premier League beginning this month.

But if the ban is upheld, it would likely mean the end of the 32-year-old's international career.

Also yesterday, lawmaker Hanif Abbasi urged Pakistan's new government to intervene to lift the ban.

"Shoaib Akhtar is our hero, and we will not allow anyone to waste such a talented Pakistani player," Abbasi said.

Akhtar was already on probation after the PCB fined him and imposed a 13-match international ban last year for hitting fellow bowler Mohammad Asif with a bat before the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa. The board also ordered him to undergo psychiatric counselling.