November 10, 2006	Friday	Shawwal 17, 1427

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LAHORE, Nov 9: Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer strongly refuted claims in the Indian media that banned fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar had manhandled him on the eve of recent ICC Champions Trophy in India.

Anil Kaul, who was deputed as Pakistan's security officer in India, claimed on New Delhi TV that Woolmer was slapped on the neck by Shoaib when the touring team was travelling in Jaipur ahead of their first match against Sri Lanka.

Kaul, a retired colonel who lost an eye and a hand during his Army days, told the Indian channel: "There was an impasse during the journey whether to listen to Indian or western music. Woolmer then tried to crack a joke on Shoaib who reacted by slapping him on the neck."

Woolmer, however, expressed his disappointment on Thursday when he was asked to give his version of the story.

"It's all rubbish. Apparently someone tried to act smart (on the NDTV). This is nothing more than fabricated story. I don't know who is spreading these rumours," Woolmer told Dawn.

"Why would Shoaib do something as stupid as that," asked the 58-year-old Englishman who celebrated his wedding anniversary on Thursday.

Shoaib, who was sent home two days after the alleged incident along with fellow paceman Mohammad Asif after both tested positive for banned steroid nandrolone, also disowned Kaul's claim.

"No such thing happened. I'm not a person who behave in such a fashion. How can someone say a thing like that without proof?" the maverick speedster told a private TV network.

"There are people who will say whatever they like for the sake of money and cheap publicity,” he added in an apparent reference to Kaul.

Kaul, in his statement, also revealed that Shoaib was reportedly involved in other acts of indiscipline during his time with the team.

The Indian claimed that Shoaib was pulled out of a discotheque by security staff after he wanted to dance with a girl and then created a scene in the hotel's corridor.

"Shoaib went to the floor where the Indian cricket team was staying and started banging on the doors," Kaul went on. "But by accident he banged the door of Greg Chappell’s (India's coach) room whose wife was quite upset with the whole thing,” alleged Kaul.

"The next morning, Woolmer arrived as I was having breakfast with Pakistan team manager Talat Ali. He (woolmer) said that even Chappell complained about Shoaib's behaviour and remarked that strong action should be taken," Kaul said.

Talat Ali, who was retained as team manager for the West Indies series, hit back at the accusations which made headlines in Thursday's newspapers in India.

"I categorically deny that any such incident took place," Talat clarified. "Moreover, this has nothing to do with the doping test."

Saleem Altaf, the PCB's director cricket operations, has announced that the cricket board, taking serious notice of Kaul's allegations, has decided to register a strong protest with the International Cricket Council over the matter.

"This is a matter which is being officially taken up with the ICC because the Champions Trophy comes under its jurisdiction," Saleem said.

Col Khawaja Nur, ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) official, flatly refused to comment on the issue. "Because of regulations imposed by the ICC, I'm not allowed to make any comment or say anything on this alleged incident," the official said.