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I went through mental torture: Akhtar
Paceman Shoaib Akhtar has said that he underwent great mental torture during the turmoil.
- Indo-Asian News Service
- Updated: February 25, 2007 09:07 AM IST
Read Time: 2 min
Islamabad :
After going through an agonising trial to clear his name following allegations that he faked injury against India in the final Test against India in April, tear away paceman Shoaib Akhtar has said that he underwent great mental torture during the turmoil.
The Rawalpindi Express also shot down the allegation that he deserted the team and pointed to the scrapping of his lucrative contract with English county Durham.
Akhtar has foregone a Rs 10.25 million contract to stay and play his team in the Asia cup
The controversial speedster also made no efforts to conceal his differences with skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq, whose request to bowl against India on the third day of the Rawalpindi Test he turned down complaining of injury.
The issue led to Shoaib facing a medical inquiry commission to prove his rib cage injury and in the process also picked up a bitter row with top Pakistan Cricket Board officials.
Shoaib, the last of the 26 probables to report at the camp, said that although the PCB's past attitude gave him mental torture, he was still ready to play for Pakistan.
The skippers call
Inzamam and PCB officials have already said that they want Shoaib and every other player to be 150 per cent fit to get selected in the team which would be announced in the next few days.
Shoaib also said that he had great confidence in the abilities of Woolmer with whom he had two rounds of meeting in London before the new coach took over.
Meanwhile, Woolmer was quoted as saying that the final decision of selecting the team would be taken by Inzamam.
The Englishman, who had great success with the South Africans, added that he met the selection committee members and found them accommodating.
He pledged that he would not compromise on the fitness of any player. Only a 100 per cent fit player will get a place in the team. (PTI)
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