Shoaib Akhtar's [Images] woes were further compounded on Thursday when the banned pacer was served a legal notice by Pakistan cricket Board chairman Nasim Ashraf for making defamatory statements about him and the PCB.

Shoaib can't play in IPL

The notice was served after Akhtar, in an interview on Express television, said Ashraf had tried to extort money for allowing him to play in the Indian Premier League and that the disciplinary action of banning him for five years was taken after he refused to make the payment.

The fast bowler claimed that other players were also asked for commission for getting them IPL contracts.

Although Akhtar, in another television interview on Wednesday, denied making such allegations but Ashraf's lawyers have not only demanded an unconditional apology but also payment of Rs 200 million from the bowler as damages.

"All your allegations are utterly outrageous, fabricated and manifestly baseless and constitute a civil and criminal defamation case," the notice said.

It demanded an unconditional apology and damages of Rs 100 million to Ashraf for defaming him personally and Rs 100 million for sullying the image of PCB and that of the Pakistan team.