Akhtar sent home after bust-up
Akhtar has a history of shirking the rules and breaching disciplinary restrictions with Pakistan
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Friday, 07, Sep 2007 09:01
Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been sent home from the Twenty20 World Championship after a training-ground bust-up with Mohammad Asif.
The 32-year-old is reported to have hit his fellow paceman with a bat, causing him injuries to his thigh yesterday after a confrontation between the two men.
Akhtar has now been sent back to Pakistan following a team investigation into the incident.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief excecutive Shafqat Nagmi told news channel Times Now: "A decision has been taken to call back Shoaib on the basis of an initial inquiry by the touring team management in South Africa."
Akhtar is a controversial figure in cricket, having been suspended for two years last December after submitting a positive test for a banned substance.
He also has a history of ill-discipline, and the team's former media manager PJ Mir backed the PCB's decision.
"The captain and coach should be responsible for maintaining discipline. It is a good decision taken by the PCB," he said.
"I think it will now be difficult for him to make a comeback."
Legendary paceman Waqar Younis also said he wholeheartedly supported the actions of the team in excluding Akhtar.
"Harsh punishments have to be given to Shoaib," he told news channel CNN-IBN.
"Anyone behaving like this should not be in the team. His act has brought shame to the team and the nation."