LAHORE, April 28: Controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, in a somersault act on Monday, tendered an unqualified apology to the public, the chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and all his teammates for various code of conduct violations and for outbursts against the board officials.

In the second formal meeting of the Appellate Tribunal (AT) reviewing Shoaib’s appeal against a five-year ban imposed on him by the PCB disciplinary committee on April 1, Justice (retd.) Aftab Farrukh officially announced that Shoaib has apologised to all and further proceedings are deferred until Wednesday morning for a third session which will be held at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

“This will be the order of the day. Argument of both the parties were heard for two hours before Shoaib voluntarily asked to tender an apology. At this stage, the tribunal decided to adjourn till April 30 and will meet at the NCA,” said Justice Aftab while reading out his written statement at the NCA on Monday night.

“After a heated two-hour discussion on the charges levelled against the fast bowler, the situation took a turn when Shoaib asked for unqualified apology to all public, chairman PCB and all his teammates for anything which may have caused embarrassment for them,” added the judge.

PCB’s lawyer Tafazzal Hussain announced that since Shoaib had asked to submit an apology, he will now discuss the new situation with the PCB chairman to take further guidelines.

Later, Shoaib’s lawyer Abid Hasan Minto also read out the statement on behalf of the bowler who had also tendered an unconditional apology some six months ago over various violations committed.

“I would like to apologise from the bottom of my heart for any grief or embarrassment that may have been caused to the

nation, particularly to the PCB chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf. I have resolved to alter my habits to refrain from such incidents in future and I will obey the PCB rules and regulations,” said Minto while reading out the pacer’s statement.

Later, Shoaib also came before the media but was reluctant to speak in detail, only endorsing the statement of his lawyer. “What my lawyer has just informed you is my statement,” he said before walking away rather hurriedly. Later, the tribunal head answered a volley of questions relating to the fate of the case. “Though Shoaib’s apology makes the case easier to decide, we have to see what is the response of the PCB chairman,” said Justice Aftab.

He, however, negated the impression that now the ball was in the PCB’s court. “How can you say that? We still hold the case and the authority to take the decision according to the laws and regulations,” he emphasised.

“His apology may bring mitigation factor in the case, but at this stage I can’t say what effect it will have on the whole case. The punishment may be reduced or it can be increased, too.”

Shoaib’s lawyer Abid Minto also asserted that there were five charges levelled against Shoaib but refused to elaborate on them, saying that it was the job of the media to find out.

Surprisingly, neither the PCB nor the Appelate Tribunal provided the copy of the charges to the media at any stage.

Justice Aftab, who had reached the venue after some delay in the evening, said the PCB could not sent him conveyance on time and he managed to reach the NCA on his own which caused some delay.

Earlier, Shoaib arrived at the venue amid a number of his supporters who raised slogans against the PCB.

Renowned entrepreneur Salman Taseer and former Test cricket Haseeb Ahsan are the two other members of the tribunal who also attended the meeting on Monday.