Afridi pulls court case against PCB

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Sacked captain Shahid Afridi on Wednesday withdrew his court case against the Pakistan Cricket Board after the two sides reached a deal likely to allow him to play abroad, his lawyer said.

Afridi pulled his petition demanding the courts reinstate his permission to play overseas after he met PCB chairman Ijaz Butt, the two sides agreeing to settle the matter out of court.

The PCB had previously revoked Afridi's right to play abroad, preventing him from appearing in the ongoing Twenty20 league in England and threatening his participation in next month's inaugural Sri Lankan Premier League.

"We have withdrawn the petition and after this Afridi will appear before the disciplinary committee likely on Thursday," Afridi's lawyer Mehmood Mandviwala told reporters outside the court in Karachi.

"We didn't want to go to court but were forced. Now I hope Afridi will get the NOC (no-objection certificate) and will be able to play in England and Sri Lanka."

Afridi said he had taken the initiative.

"I have withdrawn my petition filed before the High Court of Sindh at Karachi against Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as a first step to resolving the matter," Afridi said in an email statement.

"As a true sportsman and cricketer, I believe that for the future progress, advancement and success of cricket in Pakistan it is necessary to strengthen PCB as an institution," Afridi said.

"I have all the zeal and energy to play cricket for the nation for many years to come. I will be appearing before the disciplinary committee tomorrow, inshallah (God willing)."

The stand-off began last month after Afridi accused coach Waqar Younis of undue meddling in team selection during the one-day series against the West Indies, which Pakistan won 3-2.

The PCB removed him as one-day captain and in protest, Afridi announced his retirement from international cricket and accused PCB officials, including Butt, of mishandling his case.

The PCB said Afridi had violated the players' code of conduct. It suspended his central contract and revoked his NOC. Afridi then went to court last week.

A spokesman said the PCB would wait for the court to formally order out the petition before deciding on a future course of action.