The cold war between fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and Pakistan Cricket Board and team management boiled over last week with Shoaib insisting he had no commitment or attitude problems.

Although the Pakistan board and selectors have said he had not been considered for the West Indies tour this month because of fitness problems, unofficially the word is he has been dropped as the board, coach Bob Woolmer and captain Inzamam-ul-Haq are not happy with his commitment and attitude.Shoaib who also missed the Indian tour due to fitness problems said if the board chairman Shaharyar Khan, Bob Woolmer or Inzamam-ul-Haq had any complaints about his commitment or attitude they should have a straight talk with him instead of giving statements.

“I don’t play for Pakistan to make friends or please anyone. I play to perform and do the best for my country and I think my performances in my last 15 Tests in which I have taken 79 wickets at an average of 19 runs with seven five-wicket hauls prove my commitment to the team,” he pointed out.

“I don’t think any bowler can give such performances without being committed. As far as the charges about my attitude are concerned I am prepared to listen to any complaints and if these are genuine I am ready to change my attitude. But how is this going to be possible when no one is even willing to talk to me and find out about my fitness before dropping me,” he complained.

Responding to allegations that his constant fitness problems had a negative impact on the team, Shoaib said every genuine fast bowler had fitness problems from time to time because it was not an easy job coming in over after over and bowling at 100 MPH.

“Every team tries to preserve its genuine quickies and play them accordingly. Brett Lee plays two matches and is rested for one match. Has anyone ever tried to listen to what I have to say and play me accordingly. Making it clear he was very keen to play for Pakistan and didn’t want any problems with the board or team management, the “Rawalpindi Express” insisted he was committed to the team and country and would never let them down.

“But I am disappointed that when I am fit they are saying I am not fit. I was not fit for India and I told them I am not fit. But now I am fit and they say I am unfit without taking any fitness Test. I don’t which medical report they are referring to on the basis of which they have taken such a decision,” he added.

Meantime, former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad has warned of the detrimental effect the introduction of Twenty20 cricket could have in the Asian cricket playing nations.

“This is not cricket. It is a circus and if we lay too much stress on it in Asia or in Pakistan it is going to have detrimental effect on our future generation of players,” he warned. Pointing out that Pakistan was already struggling in producing quality players who are well aware of the requirements of top level cricket, he advised the Pakistan cricket Board (PCB) not to give too much importance to Twenty20 cricket.