A three-man tribunal in Lahore has rejected controversial Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar's appeal against a five-year ban imposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

The appeal panel, appointed by the PCB comprised retired judge Aftab Furrukh, Salman Taseer and Haseeb Ahsan, who upheld the initial decision on Wednesday.

The PCB in a statement said the ban on Shoaib did not apply to cricket played overseas, which would in effect meant that he was free to play in the Indian Premier League.

"We for the time being are of the view that Shoaib can play anywhere outside Pakistan," PCB said the statement quoted on cricket365.com.

"It was not our intention to restrain him on that level. Shoaib can also play in the IPL. He however cannot play for Pakistan internationally or nationally," the statement added.

Shoaib was signed by the Kolkata Knight Riders in February's auction for 425,000 US Dollars.