After going through an agonising trial to clear his name following allegations that he faked injury against India in the final Test against India in April, paceman Shoaib Akhtar has said he underwent great "mental torture" during the turmoil.
"I went through mental torture after I was accused of faking an injury," said Shoaib, who joined the camp for Asia Cup probables on Monday.
The 'Rawalpindi Express' also shot down the allegation that he deserted the team and pointed to the scrapping of his lucrative contract with English county Durham.
"Look, I now returned foregoing a Rs 10.25 million contract with my county to play for my country in Asia Cup," he said.
The controversial speedster also made no efforts to conceal his differences with skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq. Akhtar had turned down his skipper's request to bowl against India on the third day of the Rawalpindi Test.
The issue led to Shoaib facing a medical inquiry commission to prove his rib cage injury and in the process also picked up a bitter row with top Pakistan Cricket Board officials.
Shoaib, the last of the 26 probables to report at the camp, said although the PCB's past attitude gave him mental torture, he was still ready to play for Pakistan.
Shoaib said he is presently carrying a calf muscle injury. He said he had informed new coach Bob Woolmer and the PCB officials about this when he was still in England.
"I am still bowling with that strain but hopefully, with the help of treatment here I will be fit for the Asia Cup," he said.
Inzamam and PCB officials have already said that they want Shoaib and every other player to be 150 per cent fit to get selected in the team that would be announced in the next few days.
Shoaib also said that he had great confidence in the abilities of Woolmer with whom he had two rounds of meeting in London before the new coach took over on July 2.
"I know Woolmer has special tactics to deal with the fast bowlers' problem and I hope I will enjoy my game under him," he said.
He said under Woolmer's coaching the team would do better in the Asia Cup.
Meanwhile, Woolmer was quoted as saying in a local daily that that the final decision of selecting the team would be taken by Inzamam.
"Inzamam is the one who has to fight in the field and he should have the right to choose his players," he said.
The Englishman, who had great success with the South Africans, added that he met the selection committee members and found them accommodating.
He pledged that he would not compromise on the fitness of any player. "Only a 100 per cent fit player will get a place in the team."
He said Shoaib would also have to undergo the fitness test in the next couple of days.
Woolmer said he was leaving for London soon and would join the Pakistan squad in Sri Lanka on July 15, a day before the start of the Asia Cup.
"I have some coaching assignments in London besides meeting my family. I have informed the PCB about my assignments for which I will take leave," he said.
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