By RICHARD BOOCK
Pakistan's tour of New Zealand was plunged deeper into crisis yesterday after star paceman Shoaib Akhtar was placed under another throwing cloud and also ruled medically unfit.
The world's fastest bowler was reported for a suspect action after Wednesday's deciding one-day international in Dunedin, where he bowled at speeds of up to 151 km/h. The 25-year-old left the field after five overs with an ongoing thigh injury. He returned later in the piece, but was yesterday declared unfit for the remainder of the tour.
Pakistan manager Fakir Aizazuddin said the decision on Akhtar's fitness was made before he was reported, and was "unconnected to [the throwing] issue."
Akhtar, who has been battling injury problems and throwing accusations for most of his career, conceded 67 off 9.1 overs during two frenetic spells at Carisbrook, but did throw a scare into the New Zealand camp when he took the wickets of Lou Vincent and Adam Parore off consecutive deliveries.
Pakistan officials were tight-lipped yesterday, but Akhtar renewed his plea to be allowed to play.
"I've been through a lot of pain since I was called. The last year has been a really bad one for me. I am really disturbed," he said.
"I was cleared by experts in Australia and I just can't see why people can't accept the fact that I was born the way I am.
"I've worked really hard to get back into the side. Please give me a break. Don't try to ruin my career."
Reported after the game by umpires Steve Dunne and Doug Cowie, he will now be assessed by a Pakistan-based illegal deliveries panel, who have six weeks to review his action. While that happens he can keep playing international cricket.
Apart from the umpires, New Zealand batsmen Stephen Fleming also appeared unhappy with Akhtar's action, staring at square-leg umpire Cowie after several deliveries.
Akhtar was initially banned by an International Cricket Council committee on December 31, 1999, but was granted an exemption by outgoing ICC president Jagmohan Dalmiya eight days later.
It was later recognised that the ICC's system for assessing illegal deliveries was flawed as the match referees both cited a player and then sat on the committee that decided his fate.
Pakistan officials were incensed that concerns over Akhtar were conveyed to the ICC by New Zealand match referee John R Reid, who was part of the panel which decided to ban him.
The ICC has since been replaced by a programme which allows bowlers with suspect actions to be assessed by experts in their own country.
Most recently, the umpires' concerns were reported to the ICC by match referee Ranjan Madugalle, another who played judge and juror under the old system. Cowie and Dunne met with Madugalle for more than an hour on Wednesday night, after which the umpires' report was forwarded to the Pakistan and New Zealand boards, and the ICC.
Meanwhile, mystery surrounds which Pakistan players will be replaced for the remainder of the New Zealand tour. Off-spinner Arshad Khan, batsman Younis Khan and wicket-keeper Humayun Farhat are due to arrive today, but who they will replace has not yet been announced.
Aizazuddin said "more than three players" (not including Akhtar) would be leaving the tour, but declined to comment on the faintly ridiculous rumour that star spin-bowler Saqlain Mushtaq would be amongst them.
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