Shoaib Akhtar [Images] says he is ready to take court action to fight the five-year ban imposed on him by the Pakistan Cricket Board on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old fast bowler, punished because of repeated disciplinary violations, described the long ban as harsh and unjustified.

The most recent violation came when Akhtar criticised the PCB's policies after being dropped from the list of central contracts in January.

"This ban comes as a shock because I had apologised for my statements and actions to the disciplinary committee (in Rawalpindi) today," the paceman told reporters. "I will go to court if I have to and fight this ban.

"I have always given 100 percent for the national team. How can they accuse me of being a damaging influence on the team?"

PCB chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf told a news conference that Akhtar, whose international career will almost certainly be over unless he gets the ban overturned, has the right of appeal.

Ashraf also said the board has lost confidence in the player.

RAWALPINDI EXPRESS

The fast bowler known as the 'Rawalpindi Express' escaped a doping ban in December 2006 when he appealed against a two-year suspension imposed on him after he tested positive for a banned substance before the Champions Trophy in India the same year.

Akhtar, who has appeared in 46 Tests and was ranked among the fastest bowlers of the modern era, said playing for Pakistan meant everything to him.

"I bowled with a high fever during the recent test series in India," he said. "I did it for the team.

"I have had problems here and there but I have always respected my seniors and got along well with my juniors.

"For me, nothing is more important than playing for Pakistan. It is hard to bear with this stigma attached to me."

In October, Akhtar was put on a two-year probation and banned for 13 international matches for four breaches of discipline including striking team mate Mohammad Asif [Images] with a bat before the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa.

Hanif Abbasi, a newly-elected member of parliament, also said Akhtar's five-year ban is unjustified.

"The people who have banned him will not stay (in power) for long with the new government in," said Abbasi.

"This issue will be discussed in parliament."