Akhtar played on his own
'Rawalpindi Express' Shoaib Akhtar, who was hospitalised with a chest infection three days before the start of the Kolkata Test against India, said there was no pressure on him from the Pakistan team management to play in the match.
"It was my decision to play. After all, this Test is crucial for us. There was no pressure on me from the team management," the fast-bowler said.
Akhtar seemed unfit, especially on the opening day of the match on Friday, as he could bowl only nine overs in short spells with a curtailed run-up.
There were reports that Akhtar had been forced to play the match by the selectors and the team management.
Akhtar said he was still suffering, though the fever and cough had reduced.
"I am still suffering. When I was admitted to hospital I had 102-degree fever. My fever kept on coming back. I was shivering. I had cough also. I couldn't breathe normally".
"In the hospital, I was administered three to four drips and given four injections," he said while interacting with the media.
Akhtar said when he took the field on Friday, he had a splitting headache.
"My head was reeling so much that I couldn't see anything," he said.
Akhtar had fallen sick on the fourth day of the first Test in Delhi and spent one and half days at a private hospital here.
Comments