January 25, 2006	Wednesday	Zilhaj 24, 1426

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FAISALABAD, Jan 24: Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar could get himself reprimanded or even slapped with a fine by Ranjan Madugalle, the ICC match referee, for losing his cool on Tuesday.

The temperamental paceman, apparently in a show of dissent, snatched his hat in anger from Simon Taufel, the Australian umpire, after bowling a waist high full toss at Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Shoaib was visibly unhappy when Taufel spoke to him after that delivery, which was adjudged a no-ball. Meanwhile, Shoaib Malik has been asked to rejoin the team after being summoned from his hometown of Sialkot by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday afternoon.

The Pakistan opening batsman had left for Sialkot on Sunday after being told by the family that his father was fighting for life after he fell into coma following complications from the Hepatitis ‘C’.

The message was conveyed to Malik, who was released from official duties by the Pakistan team management, during the lunch interval with India at 559 for eight in their first innings.

It was still unclear whether or not Malik would be arriving in Faisalabad since according to latest medical bulletin his father had been placed on a respirator.

The journey from Sialkot normally takes about four-and-a-half hour to reach Faisalabad. A team official admitted that it would be impossible for Malik to rejoin his teammates in Faisalabad.

“Shoaib is very close to his father and we all feel for him while praying for his father’s recovery. We can understand how Shoaib is feeling and what he is going through right now,” the official commented. A team official admitted that it would be impossible for Malik to rejoin his teammates in Faisalabad.