Shoaib Akhtar could find himself in more trouble as the Pakistan Cricket Board was contemplating of taking disciplinary action against the controversial pacer for violating the central contract with regard to his medical report submitted for skipping the national camp held in the hill resort of Bhurban
Shoaib Akhtar could find himself in more trouble as the Pakistan Cricket Board was contemplating of taking disciplinary action against the controversial pacer for violating the central contract with regard to his medical report submitted for skipping the national camp held in the hill resort of Bhurban.
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Sources in the PCB said chairman Ejaz Butt was not happy with Akhtar's medical report that allowed him to skip the conditioning camp. Akhtar has missed the camp stating that he had a skin infection near his groin and the doctor had advised him seven to eight days rest. Incidentally, the maverick pacer later said he would be available for the practice matches in Lahore from May 21 ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup.
"Butt is not happy that Shoaib (Akhtar) again went to a private doctor without consulting or seeking permission of the medical panel of the PCB," one source said. He said as per his central contact with the board, Akhtar had to consult the PCB medical panel in case of any illness or fitness problem and only seek private help after getting clearance from the panel.
"Even before the one-day series against Australia, Shoaib had a knee problem and had avoided a surgery and got medical treatment from his own doctor," the source said. He said the PCB's view was that since Akhtar was getting medical attention privately, the board could not be held responsible if he faced any doping problems during the T20 World Cup in England.
"When a player is getting treatment for any ailment or fitness problem under the supervision of the board's medical panel they are aware of what medication he is taking but if a player is going to a private doctor they are not sure what his medication is and whether it is on the ICC's list of banned medicines and subscriptions," the source explained.
"The board has apprehensions that in existing circumstances something may go wrong if Shoaib is picked for random dope tests in England," he added.
Interestingly, the PCB has now got hint that the problem which kept Akhtar out of the conditioning camp might not be just a simple skin infection.
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