The Lahore High Court has suspended a ban imposed by an appellate tribunal on Pakistan bowler Shoaib Akhtar pending a final decision in September.

The Pakistan Cricket Board handed the volatile fast bowler a five-year ban in April for several instances of indiscipline and violating the conditions of a two-year probation.

The tribunal later reduced the suspension to 18 months with a fine.

Temporary victory: Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib felt the decision of the tribunal was unfair and filed a writ petition in the Lahore High Court in the hope of having the ban overturned.

'Shoaib is now free to play for his country," said his lawyer Abid Hasan Minto to reporters, confirming the suspension of the ban.

'However, this is only an interim order. A final decision will be taken in September when the court reconvenes.'

He said the decision on the fine remains unaltered.

PCB lawyer Tafazzaul Rizvi is confident, however, that the original punishment will be upheld.

He said: 'Today was the last working day of the courts and the courts usual give relief to petitioners just before their summer vacation.

'This is normal and it does not have a bearing on the final outcome.'