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| November 7, 2001 | Wednesday | Shaba’an 20, 1422 |
Lankans take swipe at Shoaib
COLOMBO, Nov 6: Pakistan’s fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has come in for sharp criticism from Sri Lankan cricket commentators for an invective he allegedly hurled on a Sri Lankan batsman during the Sharjah Cup final Sunday.
Shoaib, one of the world’s fastest bowlers, was seen gesticulating and heard using the invective against Mahela Jayawardena after getting his wicket.
Sri Lanka lost the final to Pakistan by five wickets.
“Akhtar’s poor behaviour,” ran a headline in the state-run Daily News on Tuesday.
“Fast bowlers all over the world are temperamental as they come. And it was no different with Akhtar,” said Elmo Rodrigopulle, writing in Daily News.
The controversial fast bowler seemed upset when Jayawardena hit his bouncer for a six.
“Akhtar’s response for the first-ball six was a four-letter word which was obvious to everyone watching the game on TV,” Rodrigopulle said. “And then when he dismissed Jayawardena, he (Akhtar) poured more scorn on the batsman, muttering obviously more four-letter words which Jayawardena did well to ignore, showing that he is not from the wild west.”
Rodrigopulle said Akhtar must at all times endeavour to maintain his reputation.
“This type of behaviour was uncalled for from Akhtar. Akhtar no doubt is any crowd’s darling. His every move on the field comes in for applause. The moment his captain brings him on to bowl, the crowd welcomes him with loud cheers because he immediately brings the game to life,” Rodrigopulle said.
“To besmirch his reputation is not what is expected. Maybe he threw himself to the deep end unable to stomach the excellent hook shot played by Jayawardena,” he said.
Chandra Ratnayake, another cricket commentator, said organizers should take notice of such behaviour and punish the offender.
“If players get away with such nonsense, then more bad time for cricket is not far away,” he said.
Rodrigopulle blamed Sri Lanka for its lacklustre performance in Sharjah’s final.
“The batsmen played like novices. They could muster only 173 giving their bowlers no chance whatsoever of bundling out the strong Pakistani batting lineup,” he wrote.
Sri Lankan cricketers arrived from Sharjah Monday and soon go into another Test and one-day series against the West Indies.—APP/AP
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