SHARJAH, Feb 4: Pakistan’s cricket captain Waqar Younis Monday brushed aside the controversy over fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar’s action, describing him as a class act and worthy match-winner.

“The debate over his action is over and done with,” Waqar said.

“On his day, Shoaib is as fast as anyone else in the world. Whether it is a slow wicket or a fast one, you can’t keep him out for long.

“He is a match-winner and a class act.”

Shoaib, reported for a suspect action many times in his career, faces a year’s suspension if he is again hauled up by the umpires or match referee.

But neither Mike Denness, the match referee for the current series, or umpires George Sharp and Riazuddin have publicly expressed any reservations about the Pakistani’s action.

Shoaib had been tutored during the course of the match by former West Indian fast bowling great, Michael Holding.

Holding, whose graceful run-up to the crease and smooth action earned him the nickname of the “Rolls Royce of fast bowlers”, however declined to comment on Shoaib’s bent arm while delivering the ball.

Waqar, himself an outstanding fast bowler, said Shoaib’s confidence returned on the recent tour of Bangladesh during which Pakistan won both Tests for a 2-0 whitewash.

“He was a bit hesitant before that tour, but worked hard to build up a good rhythm,” he said.

“I am very pleased for him because he is bowling as well as anytime during his career.

“I just hope Shoaib can carry on the good work, because he is a very important part of our attack.”

West Indian captain Carl Hooper refused to be drawn into Shoaib’s action, but conceded he bowled exceedingly well and fast.

“It is not for me to comment on his action,” Hooper said. “I have played him two or three times before, and he is as quick as ever.”

Hooper blamed the team’s batting for the Test defeat, the fourth successive loss for the West Indies after the 3-0 rout in Sri Lanka late last year.

“In a nutshell, we batted poorly and that cost us the match,” he said.

“It’s not that we played badly all through, we had our moments and then let the advatange slip.

“We can beat Pakistan, but against a good side like theirs, one has to seize the chances that come. We did not do that here.”

Hooper said he was confident of doing well in the second and final Test.

“We have two days to regroup and think where we went wrong. The wicket was very good. It held up for all five days and I expect that will happen in the next Test also.”—AFP