Controversial Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has confirmed that he had payment disputes with the Indian Premier League team Kolkata Knight Riders, who are yet to clear his dues.
Responding to the reports that Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan-owned KKR have still not cleared his dues, Akhtar on Wednesday said it was true.
"Yes, it is a fact they have not paid me my dues as yet despite reminders," Akhtar said.
The fast bowler played for KKR in the inaugural edition of the cash-awash Twenty20 league and was one of the six Pakistani players, whose contracts were terminated after the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008.
Akhtar said that after the Mumbai incidents KKR had informed him that they wished to sell him out after paying his dues and documents were signed in this respect.
"But until now my dues have not been cleared as yet," he said.
Another Pakistani pacer Mohammad Asif, who played for Delhi Daredevils in the first IPL season, also had his contract terminated prematurely by his franchise, who, however, cleared his dues. Interestingly, Delhi Daredevils cleared Asif's dues for the period of his contract despite the fact that the pacer had been suspended by that time for flunking a dope test in the first season of the IPL.
Akhtar conceded that he had issues with some clauses in the IPL contract sell out agreement and wanted 100 per cent payment for being released by the KKR.
The fast bowler said KKR officials had told him that they had been instructed by IPL Chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi not to make any payment to the Pakistani players, including him.
The fast bowler has not played for Pakistan since April-May, 2009 due to fitness and disciplinary issues and also underwent a knee surgery last year.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has already said it would not be issuing him a new central contract for 2010 as he is not playing anymore.
