Karachi, Dec 22: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) ad hoc committee on
Wednesday admitted that it has received a 20-minute video footage and
a letter from the International Cricket Council (ICC) who have
objected to the bowling action of tearaway fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.
A PCB spokesman refused to disclose the contents of the letter by ICC
cricket manager operations Clive Hitchcock, but he acknowledged that
the video included bowling actions of Shoaib from warm up matches as
well as from Test matches in Australia.
"On Tuesday afternoon, the PCB received the video footage and letter
from the ICC on the bowling action of Shoaib Akhtar," PCB secretary
Shafqat Rana said from Lahore on telephone.
Rana confirmed that the ICC has fixed Dec 30 as the date for the
teleconference of its nine-man advisory panel on illegal deliveries to
discuss Shoaib's bowling action. Pakistan will be represented by
former captain Imran Khan.
Nevertheless, Rana added that the PCB has requested the ICC to either
hold the teleconference on Dec 26 or after the conclusion of the
tri-nation series in Australia which begins on Jan 9 and concludes on
Feb 6.
Rana said the request has been made because the Pakistan cricket team
leaves for Australia on Dec 29 "and it would be an unkind act for
Shoaib if he is declared ineligible to play in the series after being
suspended by the advisory panel."
Rana, however, stressed that Shoaib Akhtar will not be pulled out from
the team despite the latest turn of events.
"He has been selected and will accompany the team to Australia because
the ICC letter doesn't say that Shoaib Akhtar can't play until cleared
by the advisory panel," Rana said.
Nevertheless, sources in the cricket board said the officials were
contemplating pulling out Shoaib Akhtar from the Australia-bound team.
Sources added that Shahid Nazir and Waqar Younis were being considered
for selection. But they stressed that final decision will be announced
on Friday when PCB chairman Lt-Gen Tauqir Zia holds his first press
conference in Lahore.
John Reid, who was the match referee in the three-Test series between
Australia and Pakistan, had questioned the legality of Shoaib Akhtar's
bowling action. He was supported by Peter Willey and Darrell Hair who
officiated the Perth Test which Pakistan lost by an innings.
Hitchcock says in the letter: "...the report by the match referee has
made it clear that not every delivery is affected but all three
officials were concerned about the straightening of Shoaib's arm
immediately before a bouncer or an express fast delivery."
However, Shafqat Rana said a five-man panel of the PCB, comprising
former Test players, categorically rejected Reid's observation.
He said that on Tuesday afternoon, Javed Miandad, Ramiz Raja, Intikhab
Alam, Zakir Khan and he, along with PCB chairman Lt-Gen Tauqir Zia,
manager of the team Brig (retd) Khawaja Nasir and Col. Pervaiz watched
the 20-minute video.
"All the members were of the unanimous opinion that Shoaib Akhtar's
bowling action had no fault. His arm, as observed by everyone, was
straight before the release of the ball," Rana said.
Shafqat Rana said the PCB was dejected and upset with John Reid's
report. He said Reid was the match referee in last year's three-Test
series in South Africa between Pakistan and South Africa where Shoaib
Akhtar played in all the matches.
"But Reid never mentioned in his report that he had suspicions about
Shoaib's bowling action. Now all of a sudden, when Darrell Hair stood
in the Perth Test, Reid came up with this theory," the PCB secretary
said.
Pakistan captain Wasim Akram angrily dismissed doubts over the
legality of Shoaib Akhtar's bowling action.
"I think I have played the highest number of Test and one-day games.
And I can say with conviction that there is nothing suspicious about
Shoaib's bowling action. It's perfect," Akram said from Lahore.
The 33-year-old pacer questioned how can a fast bowler's action be
challenged after he has played 13 Tests and 29 limited overs
internationals, including the entire World Cup. "He has played before
the best umpires and match referees. Now either they were wrong or the
Perth Test officials are wrong."
Wasim Akram said it was unjustified to fixed teleconference date a day
after the team would be have left for Australia. "We are getting the
date (for the teleconference) seven days before we are embarking on
the tour. Now tell me, how can a captain chalk out his strategy.
"Similarly, no one can imagine what Shoaib Akhtar would be going
through because at this stage he doesn't know if his career has been
brought to a grinding halt or not."
The captain said it would be a great loss to cricket if a charismatic
bowler like Shoaib Akhtar is restricted from playing. "Cricket needs
players like Shoaib Akhtar. But instead of giving them a pat on his
back, the authorities are adamant to end his career. It is sheer
injustice."
Shoaib Akhtar has refused to make any comments saying he is bound by
the PCB players code of conduct.