Shoaib Akhtar said he intends to repay Kolkata Knight Riders captain Sourav Ganguly for the way he supported him during his stressful appeal against his ban.

Shoaib has been granted a one-month suspension from a five-year ban by the Pakistan Cricket Board to allow him to play in the Indian Premier League before his next appeal is heard on June 4.

The Pakistan fast bowler said he was heartened by the backing he received from Ganguly and other eminent figures connected to the IPL.

“I don’t wish to discuss my case but one thing I would like to say is that I have been able to overcome this traumatic situation and return to the field because of IPL chairman Lalit Modi, Knight Riders owner Shah Rukh Khan and captain Sourav Ganguly,” Shoajb was quoted as saying in the Indian media.

“The way they stood by me, fought for me and empathised with me is unbelievable. I will never let them down in my life.”

On his relationship with long-time adversary in India-Pakitan matches Ganguly, he added: “I don’t know what people think about us, but we are old friends.

“At times we have to be tough on the field when you are playing against each other. But off-field we are close friends. And our friendship has become stronger now. I will try to live up to his expectations in this league.”

The Knight Riders host Bangalore Royal Challengers on Thursday in Kolkata at Eden Gardens, a ground Shoaib describes as one of his favourites. It is not yet known whether Shoaib will be playing.