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| November 9, 2001 | Friday | Shaba’an 22, 1422 |
Shoaib hopes to overcome allegations
KARACHI, Nov 8:Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar popularly dubbed the “Rawalpindi Express” Thursday hoped he would overcome all the charges of an illegal bowling action, but admitted the allegations did disappoint him.
“I have been cleared twice before and I am convinced that such allegations would not halt my international career,” Akhtar told SADA.
Akhtar arrived in Rawalpindi from Dubai and lined up for Khan Research Laboratories in a Patron’s Trophy game at the KRL ground. “I am mentally tough and playing, but such reports do disappoint me.
Had there been any other player he would have given up by now,” the 26-year-old fast bowler said. “I have the backing of the Pakistan Cricket Board and hopefully I will overcome this problem,” he said.
The ICC Thursday said former West Indian fast bowler Michael Holding will assist Akhtar correct his action later this month.
When asked how he felt about the appointment of Holding, Akhtar said he would not comment on that and would wait for the PCB’s instructions. “Specific arrangements have not yet been finalized on dates and venues for Michael Holding to work with Shoaib Akhtar.
These will be discussed between the three parties concerned: the PCB, the ICC and Michael Holding,” ICC communication manager Mark Harrison told SADA in an exclusive mail from London Thursday. “The onus will be with the PCB to identify locations and periods of time that suit both Michael and Shoaib. The ICC will act as a facilitator in this process,” he added.
International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee Denis Lindsay of South Africa questioned Akhtar’s bowling action after the final of the Sharjah tri-series last week. The ICC Wednesday made Lindsay’s report public, saying two of three umpires in Sharjah — Rudi Kortzen of South Africa and George Sharp of England — also reported his action.
Sources in the ICC told SADA that some of the Sri Lankan players also complained about Akhtar’s action. Akhtar grabbed three wickets for 33 in the final against Sri Lanka which Pakistan won by five wickets last Sunday. “I can’t understand why my action is reported time and again when I am cleared,” he said. Akhtar was cleared by Western Australian University of Human Resources in April this year.
“When Akhtar has been cleared by experts this new issue is baseless. ICC must send the report of Australian experts to all its referees and umpires so that no one dares to call his action suspicious,” General Tauqir Zia of PCB reportedly said.
The PCB said it would officially request the ICC to consider experts’ report before instituting stage two of bowling review process.
Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram strongly supported Akhtar’s action Wednesday, saying batsmen fear him all over the world. “Akhtar is an exciting player and I would appeal to the ICC to let him play freely after his action has been cleared,” Akram said.
“Captain Waqar Younis and coach Mudassar Nazar encouraged me a lot during the Sharjah tri-series,” Shoaib added. —SADA
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