Controversial pacer Shoaib Akhtar has apologised to the Pakistan Cricket Board for violating his central contract by appearing on a television talk show.

The Board has now sought the opinion of its legal advisor on the notice sent to Akhtar after the bowler made it clear that he had no intention of challenging the authority of the PCB or acting against its wishes.

PCB's legal advisor Tafazzul Rizvi confirmed he had been consulted in the case.

"The Board is now handling the matter. As far as I know, Shoaib has apologised in his reply to the Board," Rizvi said.

Sources in the Board confirmed to PTI that Akhtar in his reply had taken an apologetic and passive stand.

"Shoaib has also made it clear he appeared on the television show because of a misunderstanding and didn't intentionally mean to violate his central contract terms," the source said.

Akhtar was pulled up by the Board and asked to explain how he appeared on the show without clearance from the Board after the bowler criticised the national team management on the show.

"One of the reasons the Board is not playing up the issue despite getting a reply from Shoaib by the given deadline of July 31 is because Chairman Ejaz Butt has also indicated that since Shoaib is apologetic he wants the issue closed."