Pakistan sent Shoaib Akhtar home from the Twenty20 world championships in South Africa yesterday after a fight with teammate Mohammad Asif, plunging the troubled team into fresh chaos.
Akhtar hit new ball partner Asif on the thigh with a bat after they had a blazing row during a practice session in Johannesburg, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sources said.
"The tour management has heard the two players and they have decided to send Shoaib Akhtar back. The Pakistan Cricket Board fully endorses this decision," PCB chief executive officer Shafqat Nagmi said. "Shoaib Akhtar will be returning on the first available flight."
Nagmi added that the "decision was taken on complaints of discipline violation."
The fight broke out after Asif reportedly made a remark about Akhtar in the dressing room after they had been practising in the nets, PCB officials said on condition of anonymity.
Akhtar's exit from the tournament is the first major challenge for new coach Geoff Lawson, the former Australian fast bowler.
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