KARACHI, 10 February 2005 — Top Pakistani bowler Shoaib Akhtar suffered a new setback in his battle to regain fitness for Pakistan’s rapidly approaching tour of India when his trainers left the country yesterday.
Pakistan’s foreign fitness trainer Murray Stevenson, physiotherapist Daryn Lifson and national academy physio Grant Compton left for South Africa on a private visit just 16 days before Pakistan travel across the border.
The team’s English coach Bob Woolmer also departed for South Africa for a knee operation, Pakistan Cricket Board officials said. “I am trying my level best to get fully fit but I am without a trainer,” Akhtar admitted. He did not elaborate because he is forbiden from giving press statements pending Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) investigations against him.
However the 29-year-old also faces disciplinary action which may bar his travel to India, where Pakistan will play three Tests and five one-day games from February 25 in their first full tour.
“Pakistan would definitely need a fully fit Akhtar for the India tour because you can’t beat India with spinners,” former Pakistan captain Imran Khan told AFP. “You need pace bowlers who can get a batting power like India out twice in a Test,” he said.
NZ Umpire Bowden Denies Being Overawed by Aussies
In Wellington, New Zealand cricket umpire Billy Bowden yesterday denied he and his colleagues were intimidated by the Australian players in the recent Test and one-day series involving Pakistan.
Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer this week said the Australians won close calls 29-5 in matches against his team, accusing the Australians of vociferous appeals designed to pressure umpires into ruling their way.
Bowden said he was happy with his performances in Australia, where the home team completed a whitewash in the two-Test series against Pakistan and comfortably won the triangular one-day series which also involved the West Indies.
“Bob’s entitled to his opinion, but from my point of view I had a brilliant series in the Tests and the one-dayers,” Bowden said. “I know that because I felt good out in the middle and I had good feedback off the park.”
Bowden said home crowds and the amount of players appealing had no bearing on his umpiring. “I don’t care if one guy or 11 guys appeal, it doesn’t worry me, and neither does the crowd because I’ve made my decision before they get excited,” Bowden said. Australian coach John Buchanan has described Woolmer’s comments as offensive to umpires.
