They want to ruin my career: Shoaib

The banned speedster says he is being victimised by powerful people and is confident that he will come out clean.

Banned Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar on Monday said some "powerful" people wanted to destroy his cricketing career.

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"I have been systematically victimised in this case by certain powerful people who want to destroy my career," Shoaib said in an interview taken in Lahore.

Asked whether he had taken the banned substance nandrolone, Shoaib said, "I have never taken any banned substance but used protein supplements from time to time."

The speedster, however, was confident that his career was not over yet, saying, "I will come out clean. I am confident that I will be able to address all the concerns. These are only allegations."

Shoaib appealed to his fans to stand by him in the 'most testing phase of his career'.

The Rawalpindi Express rubbished charges made against him by security officer Retd Colonel Anil Kaul that he had slapped coach Bob Woolmer.

"I have a very good relationship with Woolmer. Nothing like this has ever happened," Shoaib said.

Asked whether he had misbehaved in a discotheque in Jaipur during the Champions trophy, Shoaib said, "Not at all. I may have been partying, but who doesn't?"

Shoaib, however, claimed that Younis Khan had differences with the coach. "Younis and Woolmer keep fighting."