Akhtar playing possum ?

[Donny]

Shoaib injury 'not feigned'

From correspondents in Lahore - Fox

April 29, 2004

PAKISTAN pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar fractured a rib while playing against India in the decisive third Test, his brother said today amid a probe into suspected feigned injuries.

"My brother appeared before a PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) medical commission and his X-rays proved that his 11th rib was fractured," said Shoaib's elder brother Shahid.

He said the top Pakistani paceman hopes to get a fair deal from the probe investigating whether he feigned his injury during the match in Rawalpindi this month.

"As an obedient servant of Pakistan cricket, Shoaib appeared before the commission and now X-rays proved he was injured, he hopes to continue playing for Pakistan," said Shahid.

Shoaib refused to comment on the issue, pending the investigation.

Shoaib, along with wicket-keeper Moin Khan and allrounder Abdul Razzaq, appeared today before the four-man medical commission formed to investigate excessive injuries in the team during Pakistan's 2-1 Test series defeat.

The commission, comprising leading orthopaedic surgeons and a panel of PCB doctors, is expected to submit its report to its Chairman Shaharyar Khan next week.

The commission was appointed after suspicions were expressed by some officials when the 28-year-old paceman fell down in his follow through and hurt his wrist and back during the Test.

Captain Inzamam-ul Haq lashed out at Shoaib after Pakistan's innings defeat, saying the paceman let the team down and that his attitude was not up to the mark.

The controversy was triggered when Shoaib, who did not bowl on day three of the Test, batted on the fourth day without showing any signs of discomfort.

Shaharyar Khan last week said the PCB was forced to set up a medical commission after an MRI scan on Shoaib's wrist did not reveal an injury.

Imran Khan this week blasted the PCB decision and termed the inquiry as a "mockery of Pakistan cricket".

A PCB spokesman denied today that the commission was set up to find a scapegoat following criticism over the defeat.

Shoaib is due to fly to England next week to play for Durham county but he will be available whenever needed by the Pakistan team, said Shahid.

[Donny]

I copped one in the ribs from my opening fast bowler in a private net session.

We weren't exactly working on the good length ball that rears up into the ribcage but that's what I got.

He said, "You ok mate ?" and I tried to say, "Yeah" but couldn't get the word out.

Once I got home and into bed, I could hardly move for a week and had to miss two games. I had 2 rib fractures.

Anyone who's had a rib fracture will know exactly what I'm talking about. You don't really need an X-ray to discover if you really have one or not. Just get the suspect to laugh or sneeze. OUCH !!

[labrooy]

I have never had a rib fracture but did cop a nasty one in the ribs which left severe bruising. That was bad enough so I can only imagine how much worse it would be to fracture one of them.

Having said that to bat with a broken rib either takes tremendous courage or extreme stupidity.