Express fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was fined of $2,500 for his alleged misbehaviour with Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer, who had threatened to resign if disciplinary action was not taken against the speedster.
Team manager Talat Ali imposed the fine on Akhtar only after Woolmer's threat, a Pakistani newspaper reported on Wednesday.Woolmer had threatened to resign if no action was taken against Akhtar who, he claimed, had misbehaved with him on the second day of the second Test against South Africa at Port Elizabeth, Urdu daily 'Express' said.
"The altercation occurred on the ground before the start of the day's play and carried into the dressing room after Akhtar informed the management that he could not bowl on the second day due to a hamstring problem," the report said.
"When Woolmer learnt about this, he pointedly told Akhtar that if he was not fit he should not have come to South Africa and his absence in the middle of the match would create a lot of problems for the team. This incensed Shoaib who had a war of words with the coach," the report said.
Woolmer is reported to have told Ali that he was going to resign if the matter was not investigated into.
{{/usCountry}}Woolmer is reported to have told Ali that he was going to resign if the matter was not investigated into.
{{/usCountry}}Ali, a former Test player, asked all the other players about the incident and although many of them wanted Akhtar to be forgiven, the team manager decided to fine the bowler.
Akhtar will return home on Friday after obtaining permission from the Pakistan Cricket Board to remain in Johannesburg for two days on personal expenses.