09 May 2004	Sunday	18 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

LAHORE, May 8: The PCB on Saturday let off controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar with a 'mild warning' for his alleged misconduct, while absolving him of the main charge accepting his contention that he was injured during last month's third Test against India in Rawalpindi.

But the way the proceedings were conducted strengthened the apprehensions of experts that forming a medical commission for Shoaib's injury was an eyewash simply to divert public attention from defeats against India for the first time in a home series.

Shoaib's bone-scanning test conducted by a hospital suggested the bowler's 11th rib was injured, although the medical commission had its reservations of the scan.

"Accordingly having discussed the issue with Shoaib Akhtar, the PCB has accepted the player's own contention at face value that he was in pain and could not take the field on the final two days of the Rawalpindi Test.

"Accordingly the board has decided not to invoke a penalty against Shoaib Akhtar but he is warned that he will not, in future be given special treatment on the basis of reputation and that he will have to demonstrate his discipline to team morale, his fitness and to prove his playing ability in domestic cricket to earn selection.

Other players have similarly been cautioned that they need to demonstrate 150 per cent commitment to team spirit and morale to merit selection in the national squad," said a detailed decision of the PCB issued to the media.

But to create more confusion, the PCB has instructed Shoaib to again appear before the medical commission on May 26.

"Yes, he will again appear for another bone-scanning test to determine whether the injury to the rib is old or happened on thematch's day," PCB chairman Shaharyar M. Khan told a press conference.

Asked about the reason for another examination when the board had cleared him of the charge and chances of penalizing him in case the new test determines the injury was old, Shaharyar said no more action would be taken against him.

"The case is closed at our end and there will be no further action against Shoaib," he said.

When asked about forming a commission to dig out facts about the defeats instead of the medical commission, Shaharyar said: "The reasons were obvious. Our batsmen played some good and some bad cricket. Extras' account was heavy and there was sloppy fielding."

Coming back to the medical commission's report, he said that itsuggested some perceptions for the otherplayers - UmarGul, MoinKhan, Abdul Razzaq, Shabbir Ahmed.