Aftermath of defeat

Shaharyar Khan hints at stern action

Wisden Cricinfo staff

April 18, 2004

A medical committee is to investigate Shoaib Akhtar's injury claims © AFP

Shaharyar Khan, the PCB's chairman, has set up a medical inquiry committee to investigate the injury controversy involving Shoaib Akhtar. He has also hinted at stern action against players disrupting the team morale. While maintaining that there was no need for desperate measures in the wake of Pakistan's loss to India, he made it clear there was no place in the side for those lacking in commitment.

Apart from inquiring into the Shoaib affair - he has been accused of feigning an injury which kept him out of the attack for nearly half of the Indian innings in the third Test at Rawalpindi - the committee will also look into the reasons for some other players missing matches through injury.

The committee will be announced next week by Rameez Raja, the PCB's chief executive, and will be headed by a senior orthopaedic consultant. Shaharyar added that he would take a decision on disciplinary action, if any, after examining the report and consulting with senior members of the establishment.

He said that while Asim Kamal and a few others had shown a good fighting spirit even in a losing cause, others adopted a carefree approach that reeked of unprofessionalism. "I have taken serious notice of this lack of commitment to national honour and will be interviewing each potentially offending player to inquire the reasons for not upholding team morale and national honour. I want to make it crystal clear that any player who is found incapable or unwilling to give 150% for team morale and national honour will have no place in the Pakistan team."

While reiterating that there was no need for desperate steps, since the junior teams were doing exceedingly well, he said: "Obvious flaws in Pakistan's performance will be addressed in a calm and professional manner but there is no cause for despondency as our Under-15 and Under-17 teams won the Asian competitions and the Under-19 side has recently won the World Cup."

Shaharyar expressed his satisfaction that the series was a huge success, saying: "it will erase the false impression of Pakistan and its society prevailing in some quarters." He hailed the government for their efforts, which he termed "herculean", and touched upon how the hospitality had been admirable. "The common man has spoken, the silent majority has stood up to be counted."

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