PCB accuses Shoaib of 'breaching promise'

In the latest twist to the Shoaib Akhtar saga, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Shaharyar Khan, has voiced his concern about Shoaib playing for Durham when he was not yet completely fit. He also warned Shoaib, in a letter, that such incidents will force the PCB to review its position regarding allowing him to play in the English county championship.

Talking to GEO Sports News at the National Stadium in Karachi, Shaharyar said that Shoaib had spoken to him clearly about his plans in England. "He was going to England where he would rest and, after two weeks, he would also be sending his bone scan to the PCB. But he played a match after reaching there and breached the promise."

Shaharyar was also surprised that Shoaib had started playing county cricket so soon after being injured, and said that either a miraculous recovery had taken place or Shoaib was being forced by the county to play with an injury. "It is quite surprising that one is unfit in Pakistan and by reaching England gets fit overnight."

In separate letters to Shoaib and Durham CC, Shaharyar emphasised that the PCB did not want Shoaib to aggravate his rib injury. The Telegraph quoted Shaharyar as saying, "Shoaib's first priority is to Pakistan cricket and he should be played in selective matches by the county. Despite carrying a ribcage injury Shoaib has started playing for Durham soon after reaching England."

But, that's not the end of it. A Press Trust of India reports that Shoaib was to consult a specialist in London to treat his rib injury and quotes him as saying, "I am feeling stiff and some pain in my side muscles due to the ribcage stress. After playing against Somerset and then Worcestershire on Sunday, the pain has increased."

Shoaib seems to have been completely unaware of the PCB's view on the whole issue when he said, "I have also asked my county management to rest me for the four-day match against Glamorgan starting Monday and play me selectively for the rest of the season because of the rib problem. I have advised them [Durham] to look for a back-up player for the next match and also for the season because I want to take proper rest between matches."

Meanwhile, a bone scan carried out in England has revealed that Shoaib was indeed carrying a stress fracture injury in his ribcage. Shoaib told The News from Durham that he had a second bone scan in Newcastle and that the specialists had confirmed the stress fracture on his 11th ribcage on lower left side. Shoaib said, "I have still not got the reports of the bone scan but as soon as I get them I will send them to the PCB."