Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has apologised for his bust-up with team-mate Mohammad Asif.
Paceman apologises after striking team-mate with bat
Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has apologised for his bust-up with team-mate Mohammad Asif.
Shoaib was sent home from the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa by the Pakistan Cricket Board after striking his fellow paceman on the thigh with a bat during a training session.
The 32-year-old admitted he had lost his temper but claimed he had been provoked by Asif.
"It was a two-minute temper loss that has ruined my comeback to the national team," said Shoaib.
Apologised
"I apologised to Asif immediately but the damage had been done."
The controversial pace bowler compared the incident that of former French footballer Zinedine Zidane, who head-butted Italian Marco Materazzi in the World Cup final last year, but refused to say what Asif had said.
"I see my predicament as very similar to that of Zidane. It just happened in the heat of the moment. But I should not have been provoked by what Asif said," he added.
"What is upsetting is that this incident has caused immense embarrassment not only to myself but also to the team and Pakistan cricket.
"People have to understand I am also a human being and can react. It happened in a fit of anger but I regret it completely now."
Reprimanded
Shoaib has a history of run-ins with both players and officials, and has been reprimanded several times for his conduct.
Last month he was fined US$5,000 after leaving a training camp without informing the team management and in October 2006, both Shoaib and Asif tested positive for the banned substance nandrolone ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy in India.
Pakistan, who begin their campaign in Group D against Scotland next Wednesday, have selected 22-year-old rookie all-rounder Sohail Tanvir to replace Shoaib in the squad.
Uncapped Tanvir, a left-arm pacer and left-handed batsman, booked his place after taking 4-47 against the Australia 'A' side in a one-day game on Friday.
