Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq rubbished speculation in the media that Pakistan pace spearhead Shoaib Akhtar was not playing the remaining one-day series against India for reasons other than his injured ankle.
Akhtar was on Sunday ruled out of the entire series after aggravating his ankle strain during practice and Inzamam told a press conference that he had been advised rest for six weeks.
"I should make it clear that Shoaib Akhtar is injured and he is being given the opportunity to have as much rest as possible. Some sinister news items regarding his action are doing the rounds these days. But that's quite common. As soon as the Pakistan team gains an important victory, such scandals do crop in from time to time," he said in his column in The News on Monday.
The Pakistan skipper was referring to the suggestions in a section of media that Akhtar was feigning injury to avoid being called by umpires for a suspect action.
Inzamam wondered why the action of the fast bowler, popularly called as 'Rawalpindi Express', was being questioned after having played cricket the world over following the clearance of his bowling action by ICC.
"Shoaib has been playing cricket around the world after having his bowling action cleared. I find it surprising that the same action is now being negatively talked about.
"I fail to understand as to why this scandal has emerged its ugly head with people being made to believe that it's the only reason why he isn't playing in the one-dayers. The only reason he's not been playing is due to the problem with his ankle," Inzamam said.
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