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Karachi: The Pakistan team is angry over some remarks allegedly made by some of the former cricketers and Indian team coach Greg Chappell about Shoaib Akhtar's action. An Indian television channel, which had its launch on Tuesday, seems to have wanted a sensational start. They raked up the controversy over Akhtar's action, quoting Indian team coach Greg Chappell and some former Pakistan players. It seems Greg Chappell, without hinting that there is doubt about Akhtar's action, remarked: The guys (Tendulkar and Kumble) told me it is very difficult to pick up the ball from Akhtar. There is something seriously different about it." Akhtar has been twice sidelined over throwing allegations, but his action has been now cleared by the University of Western Australia's bio-mechanics testing centre.
Chappell even went on to say: "I don't buy the argument that his action is like that because of a deformity. I am not a doctor to make a comment on the legality of delivery." What has irritated the Pakistan camp is that some former Pakistan players too have expressed doubts about Akhtar's action. Former Pakistan captain Mushtaq Mohammad said: "Akhtar's bowling has always looked a bit suspect." Mushtaq, however, later denied casting any doubts. Was it a ploy to disturb the confidence of Akhtar or an attempt by a channel to rake up an old issue?
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