Shoaib Akhtar to join BCCI's league

Under-fire Pakistani paceman Shoaib Akhtar is set to play for BCCI's Indian Premier League (IPL) next year, saying he has sought permission from Pakistan's cricket authorities.

"I have been approached by BCCI and I have applied for permission from the Pakistan Cricket Board to sign the contract," Akhtar told AFP today.

"I have always liked Indian crowds and have always loved to play in India. Hopefully, I will be in the Pakistan team for next month's tour there, and will also play in the league," he added.

Akhtar is facing disciplinary action for hitting teammate Mohammad Asif with a bat a few days before the Twenty20 world championships in South Africa last month. The maverick bowler, who was sent home following the incident, has appeared before a three-man committee which is likely to announce its decision later Saturday.

The IPL -- a Twenty20 competition scheduled to be launched next April -- was set up by BCCI to rival the breakaway Indian Cricket League (ICL), which is being bankrolled by Subhash Chandra's Essel group.