Akhtar thought of quitting

The International Cricket Council permitted Akhtar to play in one-day internationals on the tour after ICC President Jagmohan Dalmiya intervened in the matter. The onus fell instead on the Pakistan board to clear the legality of Akhtar’s action.

Akhtar has worked with Dennis Lillee and Michael Holding since the initial furore, but said his delivery is unaltered. “There is no chance of changing my action because it is still perfect,” he said.

Akhtar said, “the claims were based on a wrong reason, they were not true. I am very hyper-mobile in my arm. My hand speed is great, but when the ball leaves my hand the arm is straight. If I chuck the ball, every second bowler chucks”.

A week-end medical in Nottingham showed that he is still struggling with the side-strain sustained in the West Indies. His debut may be delayed, until Nottinghamshire’s next game against Worcestershire scheduled for next Wednesday.

The lingering side-strain kept Akhtar out of Pakistan’s recent three-Test series against West Indies. Akhtar’s status as the fastest recorded bowler since Jeff Thomson, with a top speed of 96 mph, helped Nottinghamshire lift their membership by around 20 per cent over the winter, The Times reported on Wednesday.