Pakistan board concerned about Shoaib's conduct

Shaharyar Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan cricket Board, has made it clear that Shoaib Akhtar will have to prove his fitness before being considered for the upcoming tour of India. Speaking to The News, Shaharyar said, "We are very clear on this. Given his (Shoaib's) persistent fitness problems he has to undergo a fitness test before being considered for selection for the Indian tour. And he will only be selected if the team doctors are satisfied with his fitness.

There was also a thinly veiled reference to Dr Tauseef Razzaq, the former trainer who was closely associated with Shoaib. "I think we have a very competent medical team handling things and they are the best people to judge his fitness."

Shoaib had earlier commented on being made the scapegoat for Pakistan's poor performances and also felt that there was a certain lobby that was attempting to constantly put him down. "I am going to have a hard talk with Shoaib," said Shaharyar, "because we have concerns over his behaviour and conduct -- specially in Australia. I want him to tell us his side of the story before we start condemning him."

With regard to Shoaib's recent public statements, when he hit back at critics like Wasim Akram, Shaharyar added: "There is a clear code of conduct for every player, particularly in the central contracts, which states clearly that a player can't give statements without permission from the team management."

Akhtar's hamstring injury forced him to return home to undergo treatment so that he could be fully fit ahead of Pakistan's tour to India, starting later this month. Shaharyar reiterated that he considered Akhtar a valuable member of the side but stressed that all players had to abide by a certain set of rules.