The Lahore High Court Friday deferred a hearing into the Pakistan Cricket Board versus Shoaib Akhtar case.

PCB's legal counsel Tafazzul Rizvi said the Lahore High Court chief justice was busy therefore the hearing could not be held.

While the board wants clear advice on Shoaib's status, the fast bowler has also filed a petition with the same court challenging the 18-month ban and fine on him.

Shoaib has been allowed by the PCB to play international and domestic cricket until the court gives a clear directive on the payment of the fine.

He played in the four-nation twenty20 tournament in Toronto and was also included in the Federal Areas team that takes part in the Pentangular domestic tournament from October 25.

Shoaib was initially banned for five years by the board's disciplinary committee in March for several breaches of the players code of conduct.

But an appellate tribunal of the PCB later reduced the ban to 18 months but imposed the fine which the fast bowler is yet to pay.

The court has, on his petition, suspended his ban until further orders.