Akhtar, the world's fastest bowler, immediately vowed to contest the ban in court to save an 11-year career that has been plagued by injuries, discipline problems and a doping scandal in 2007.
"The committee has recommended a five year-ban on Shoaib Akhtar," Nasim Ashraf, PCB chairman, told reporters.
"He will be ineligible to play in Pakistan or to play for Pakistan anywhere else in the world.
"The board has lost confidence in Shoaib Akhtar and therefore felt that his presence in the field was damaging to the Pakistan team... "
Nasim Ashraf, PCB chairman |
"The board has lost confidence in Shoaib Akhtar and therefore felt that his presence in the field was damaging to the Pakistan team, for Pakistan players and for the image of Pakistan cricket."
However Ashraf said Akhtar could still compete for other teams around the world, clearing the fast bowler to play for the lucrative Indian Premier League next month.
The board chief added that it was a "sad day for me and for Shoaib Akhtar. He is such a talented player."
The PCB added that Akhtar had the right to appeal the decision.
Troubled past
Akhtar, who has taken 178 wickets in 46 Tests and 219 in 138 one-day matches, said he had given his "heart, soul and body" to the team and vowed to challenge the ruling.
"I am deeply disappointed and hurt. I will go to court and fight against the ban," Akhtar told AFP.
"I am deeply disappointed and hurt. I will go to court and fight against the ban."
Shoaib Akhtar |
The paceman was called before the disciplinary committee in Rawalpindi on Tuesday after slamming the PCB for dual standards on awarding central contracts in January this year.
He had been on probation since October last year, when he was fined $52,000 and banned for 13 matches for hitting fellow paceman Asif with a bat, days before the start of the Twenty20 World Championships in South Africa.
Akhtar was dropped from Pakistan's list of 15 contracted players in January after the paceman had another disappointing year, and was instead offered a special retainer deal, which he refused to sign.
Akhtar said the new deal was "very hurtful" and he made his public comments in response, but had then apologised to the PCB, the committee and the team.
Negative influence
"So I thought that they would take a lenient action, but this harsh decision has effectively ended my career. I still want to play for my country," he said.
Akhtar also rejected Ashraf's claims that he was a negative influence on the team.
"Ask the captain [Shoaib Malik], ask coach Geoff Lawson and they would vouch for me. I had played with high fever on the India tour [last year], which proved my commitment for the team," Akhtar said.
In 2006, Akhtar and Asif tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone and were expelled from Pakistan's Champions Trophy team for India.
Akhtar was banned for two years and Asif for one year, but the bans were lifted after the players appealed.