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Was Shoaib ribbing?
 Pakistan's fast bowler
Shoaib Akhtar has claimed innocence in the controversy surrounding him during the recent
Test series against India. In an exclusive interview to
BBC Hindi,
Shoaib said he has a medically documented rib injury which justified his not taking the field and bowling in the last Test match at
Rawalpindi.
The controversy began when Pakistan captain
Inzamam-Ul Haq criticised the conduct of Shoaib Akhtar during the final and decider Test against India at
Rawalpindi. Shoaib had told the team management that he had been injured and could not bowl in the Test match. After the series, the president of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Shahriyar Khan, set up a medical board to check up
Shoaib.
After appearing before the four-member medical commission in Pakistan, Shoaib told
'BBC Hindi' that his scan report presented to the committee confirmed that he "had a slight injury of the 11th rib which was evident in the scan".
He said the injury "has since healed, partially", as he has been "resting for the past fortnight". When asked whether the medical commission was satisfied with his version of the injury and the report, Shoaib said, "I have made my statement to the commission, and it is for them to decide."
'BBC Hindi' service also spoke to the chairman of the medical commission, Dr M A Wajid, who refused to confirm Shoaib's claims. He said "there were several views in the commission on Shoaib's injury".
Dr Wajid said he would report to the PCB, and the final decision on Shoaib would be known by April 30. Dr Wajid said his brief was to assess the state of injuries in the Pakistani cricket team and their possible reasons.
N Arun Kumar
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