Shoaib, 32, had his five-year ban reduced to 18 months by a Pakistan Cricket Board appeals tribunal on Saturday. But even that ban is too harsh for the player who is keen to shrink his punishment to the bare minimum so he can at least play in next year’s money-spinning Indian Premier League as well as for his country.

“We feel the tribunal's decision is still harsh and minimizes Shoaib's chances of playing for Pakistan again. He is very keen to resume his career as soon as possible,” Abid Hasan Minto, legal counsel for Akhtar, was quoted as saying by Reuters.

“But where we will file the appeal - in the high court or the tribunal itself - will only be known once we go through the full judgement copy of the tribunal.”

Shoaib has played 46 Tests and 138 one-day internationals and has a history of indiscipline, but he offered an unreserved apology to the PCB for his behaviour prior to his most recent appeal and has promised to improve his conduct.