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ICC to meet Dalmiya: Akhtar's suspension unfair
Posted: Tuesday January 11, 2000 09:35 AM
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) -- The president of the International Cricket Council, Jagmohan Dalmiya, said Tuesday the decision to suspend Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar for an illegal action was unfair, but the issue will be taken up at an ICC meeting in February. "We don't want to interfere with decisions taken by ICC committees, but there should be proper policy, principle and procedures followed," said Dalmiya, visiting from India for the under-19 Youth Cricket World Cup. In an unprecedented move and after an appeal by Pakistan officials, Dalmiya allowed Akhtar to play in the triangular limited-overs series against Australia and India on Sunday and Monday. "Akhtar has been accused of an illegal bowling action when bowling bouncers and short-pitched deliveries," Dalmiya said. "In one-day cricket these deliveries are no balled. There was no reason to stop him from playing one-day cricket." "We have a new situation here and it will be taken up at the ICC," meeting Feb. 9-10, he said. "The entire footage of the film [on Akhtar] should be reviewed and not just part of it," he said. Akhtar, the world's fastest bowler, celebrated his temporary reprieve by snaring three crucial wickets Sunday in Pakistan's upset 45-run win against Australia at the Gabba. He repeated the feat Monday when his lightning bowling ripped into the Indian batting lineup in the tri-series match. Akhtar finished with 3-19 from eight overs as Pakistan bowled out archrival India for 195 from 48.5 overs, winning the match. Dalmiya's decision has sparked off a cricket controversy. Bobby Simpson, a member of the nine-member committee, said earlier he was "shocked and disappointed by [Dalmiya's] decision." "I can tell you categorically it was not just the bouncer we were concerned about," the former Australian captain and coach was quoted as saying in Monday's Sydney Daily Telegraph newspaper. "It went further than that." "I have not been consulted by the ICC but I have had calls from other members of the panel who are as disappointed as I am," he said. Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh has said the ICC's handling of the issue had caused players to lose confidence in the sport's world governing body. "It hasn't been handled that well and there is probably a lack of confidence all round," he said after Sunday's game. "I think everyone is confused about it. One week you can't bowl and the next week you can."
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