Shoaib Akhtar chucked out after action drama

Shoaib Akhtar chucked out after action drama
Associated Press

Christchurch, March 1: Hours after being reported for throwing for the second time in 16 months, controversial Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar pleaded with cricket officialdom to give him a break and not “ruin” his career. Pakistan team management confirmed on Thursday that umpires Steve Dunne and Doug Cowie reported concerns over Shoaib’s bowling action during the fifth and final One-Day International between New Zealand and Pakistan.

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The International Cricket Council also confirmed that the two most senior umpires in New Zealand cricket were not happy with Shoaib’s action.

Shoaib, who returned to international cricket after a 10-month absence, had been under intense scrutiny from the time he arrived in New Zealand last month. “I can’t go through this all over again,” Shoaib told the Associated Press. “I’ve been through a lot of pain since I was called. The last year has been a really bad one for me. I am really disturbed. “I was cleared by experts in Australia and I just can’t see why people can’t accept the fact that I was born the way I am. I’ve worked really hard to get back into the side. Please give me a break. Don’t try to ruin my career.”

After he led Pakistan to victory in the first One-Day International in Auckland with a career-best 5-19 in his comeback match, he was accused in New Zealand media reports of chucking, thus placing extra pressure on the match officials.