By RICHARD BOOCK
Star fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar not only tore New Zealand's batting to shreds at Eden Park yesterday, he also ripped into critics who are again questioning his action.
The 25-year-old Pakistan tearaway demolished the second half of the New Zealand batting order in just 21 minutes with a career-best
five for 19 in the opening one-day international.
After 10 months out of the game with injury, Akhtar was delighted with his comeback performance and Pakistan's six-wicket win, but less impressed with those who believed his action contravened the throwing law.
Radio and television commentators mentioned Akhtar's action throughout the game, and New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming further fuelled the controversy when he said it was the job of the officials rather than the players to revisit the issue.
Akhtar was banned from bowling after his action was questioned by New Zealand match referee John Reid in Perth last summer, but was allowed an exemption after the ruling was overturned by International Cricket Council president Jagmohan Dalmiya.
"There's nothing wrong with my action and there's never been anything wrong with it," Akhtar said after being named man-of-the-match yesterday.
"I was banned in Perth but I was always very sure about myself. John Reid, he's just a ... Well, for three years he never objected to my action, and then he did."
At one stage yesterday, Akhtar took five wickets for two runs off 11 balls, including four for one off his last six deliveries.
He reached speeds of 147 km/h, giving his victims just a half-second to react. Four of them were bowled and he had last man Daryl Tuffey leg before wicket with a knee-high full toss.
"Bowlers like myself and [Australia's] Brett Lee like to charge in and people really like to watch," he said. "Let us play, please.
"Don't cast aspersions to put us under pressure. Brett Lee was questioned, too, but these guys are good for the game. Let them play."
Fleming was careful not to allege that Akhtar was throwing, but said enough to suggest he believed there was some reason for concern.
"It's always under review and that's important," he said when asked about the need for batsmen to be protected by the throwing law.
"He's very quick. We've got enough trouble watching the ball so we'll leave this up to others.
"We trust that the processes are in place and that they will take care of these sorts of things."
By RICHARD BOOCK
Star fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar not only tore New Zealand's batting to shreds at Eden Park yesterday, he also ripped into critics who are again questioning his action.
The 25-year-old Pakistan tearaway demolished the second half of the New Zealand batting order in just 21 minutes with a career-best
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