Sourav Ganguly voiced his support for Shoaib Akhtar, saying the Pakistan pacer deserves praise for trying his best despite being indisposed.
A day before their return to India, England were dealt a blow with their frontline spinner Jack Leach ruled out of the remaining three Tests with a knee injury.
'It's always disappointing being on the losing team. Looking back at when we had our chance to bat yesterday, cricket is always skill against skill.'
Former captain Wasim Akram led Pakistan's cricket community in lambasting the team for "going down without a fight" against arch-rivals India.
The duo have not been included in Pakistan's squad for the second ODI against the West Indies, despite being cleared of doping offences.
Eager to make a comeback to the national team, Pakistan's controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has approached a spiritual healer for the treatment of his chronic knee pain, which could not be cured even after a major surgery in England last year.
"There have been problems with his travel schedule and he will not be able to leave before the first test," Saleem Altaf, director of cricket operations, told Reuters.
Hyderabad's Taj Krishna hotel is fully decked for the grand reception of Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza and Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik, which is being hosted by the Mirzas, three days after India's tennis sensation Sania Mirza married popular Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik.
Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has decided to send a parliamentary delegation to attend the much-hyped cross-border wedding of tennis star Sania Mirza and cricketer Shoaib Malik.
Ramesh Gupta, Delhi's eminent advocate who is representing Shoaib Malik in the case filed by Ayesha Siddiqui, is confident that the former Pakistan cricket captain will emerge victorious from the marriage muddle he is in.
Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, who has been accused by an Indian woman of marrying and dumping her without a formal divorce, has approached a criminal lawyer who had fought a case for former Indian all-rounder Manoj Prabhakar.
Shoaib Malik's family has challenged M A Siddiqui -- who claimed the cricketer had married his daughter Ayesha before dumping her -- to sue the former Pakistan captain in court. The Hyderabad-based Siddique had claimed that his daughter is the legal first wife of Malik and he wanted Shoaib to divorce her before marrying Indian tennis star Sania Mirza.
Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will miss the Test series against Sri Lanka next month because of a knee injury. Pakistan team coach Intikhab Alam said Shoaib would need at least three weeks to recover from the surgery, ruling the 33-year-old out of the two home Tests being played between February 23 and March 6.
The Pakistan speedster says he would like to be fully fit before returning to international cricket.
The Pakistan captain denied allegations that Shoaib Akhtar was avoiding being called again for his action
The ICC has warned Greg Chappell to refrain from making any comments on the bowling action of Shoaib Akhtar
The Indian coach was reported by an Indian television channel as saying that there is "something seriously different" about Shoaib's action.
'Looking at them, five or six Tests between them, to bowl the way they did yesterday without Joe -- what they produced was incredible.'
'It will depend on how he comes through the next 10 to 15 days,' coach Bob Woolmer said.
England head coach Brendon McCullum said they will have to do some deep thinking about their approach after being "exposed" in the final four matches in India but is convinced their first series defeat under his watch will make them a better side.
A severe discord is brewing between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the players who are unhappy at not having their NOCs extended for league appearances through this month.
The sports channel used a Hindi phrase that annoyed the temperamental fast bowler.
Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq said the pace spearhead had failed to recover from a strain in his ankle
Legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar said no bowler with suspect action is ever cleared for good and open to scrutiny at any time.
Head coach Brendon McCullum revealed that pacer Ollie Robinson suffered an injury while batting during the visitors' first inning.
Images from Day 3 of the fifth and final Test between India and England in Dharamsala on Saturday.
Shoaib Akhtar's agent conveyed the bowler's intention to continue to concentrate on his cricket
Shoaib Akhtar is sporting special, customised shoes for the current series -- a pair of which costs a little more than half a lakh of rupees!
'It was a wonderful all-round effort by Afghanistan'
Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said he had played in the one-day series with England against doctors' advice.
Pakistan beat England by seven wickets in the second ODI.
The Pakistan fast bowler refused to follow PCB's directive to play in a first-class match to prove his fitness for the Indian tour.
Batsman Faisal Iqbal and pace bowler Umar Gul were included in the 16-man squad for the final Test against India, starting on Sunday.
The Pakistan fast bowler was fined $500 for breach of contract during the recent tour of Australia.
The Pakistan captain said the speedster would definitely tour India provided he is fit.
A family member of the temperamental Pakistan fast bowler said Shoaib is upset at being blamed for the series loss to India.
After being sidelined from Pakistan's tour of West Indies, the fast bowler will have a stint with the English County.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances