Kolkatta Knight Riders to take action against Pak Daily

[Bublu Bhuyan]

Link: http://ipl.timesofindia.indiatimes.c...ow/3049548.cms

Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday threatened to take "all actions including legal" against Pakistan daily 'Nation' for its report that fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was questioned at the Karachi airport for allegedly carrying a large number of syringes.

"We are contemplating all action including legal against the paper," Knight Riders manager Jay Bhattacharjee told newspersons here.

Describing the report as a deliberate attempt to malign Akhtar, now plying the Indian Premier League for the Knight Riders, Bhattacharya said, "We are talking to lawyers. We want to see whether we can make out a case, then we will proceed."

"Both Shoaib and the Kolkata Knight Riders are extremely upset over the clear attempt to slander him," he said.

The manager pointed out three discrepancies in the report.

"First, Shoaib travelled to India from Lahore, not Karachi. Secondly, he travelled to Kolkata via Delhi, not Mumbai. And thirdly, he did not travel with any hand baggage, therefore obviously there were no syringes," he said.

The report in the newspapaer had said that prior to boarding the flight to Mumbai en-route to Kolkata to join the Knight Riders "the customs officials had questioned Shoaib on an inordinately large number of syringes in his baggage -- reportedly as many as three dozens in number".

Bhattacharya claimed that after verifying with various sources, the Knight Riders were convinced that Akhtar was neither stopped nor questioned by any Indian or Pakistani customs officials.

"All these statements are independently verifiable by the media. And on our part we are talking to lawyers both in India and Pakistan," he said when asked whether the case would be filed in Pakistan or India.

Bhattacharya, however, refused to give the media any access to Akhtar on the matter. "I don't even want Shoaib to open his mouth on the issue."

[Inswinger]

What have the KKR got to do with this? The alleged incident was in a Pakistani airport, reported by a Pakistani paper, and all parties involved are Pakistani. If Shoaib wants to make something of i then I understand but KKR reps hould keep their mouth shut about this issue or a non-issue.

[feather]

KKR if can should definitely make a case out of this. I am no fan of Aktar however his playing for KKR...when he is accused of something your indirectly accusing KKR...considering if someone is applying that KKR are getting a unfair adventage because their main strike bowler from now on is on drugs giving them a unfair adventage.

I wanted Aktar taken to task for his big mouth and I am not biased against him so I wouldn't mind the same thing done to Pak daily.

[Hash]

I hope they can make a case here.

Would love to see this massala newspaper go bankrupt.

[siddharth]

what about pak daily ''publically apologised to Akhtar'' .i heard an aoplogy is all what needed in pakistan.

[12thMan]

Bhattacharya, however, refused to give the media any access to Akhtar on the matter. "I don't even want Shoaib to open his mouth on the issue."

Why???

[Cryin Out Loud]

Originally Posted by 12thMan Why???

Maybe because they're hiding the syringes in his mouth for the time being?

[DotCom]

possibility exists of the syringes being Type I Diabetes insulin syringes ...

is Akthar Diabetic... ??

Wasim was...

[Savak]

Well thats pretty amazing that for once, Akhtar has his team backing him when he is being accused by a newspaper. I doubt Akhtar has diabetes though, he looks like a healthy strong individual. Wasim was diabetic but it showed in the field. Akhtar doesnt carry the same symptoms.

[jusarrived]

syringes found with akthar or not ....hes certainly into drugs , but not sure its for performance enhancing though ......but hes surely on chemicals !

[Savak]

Originally Posted by jusarrived syringes found with akthar or not ....hes certainly into drugs , but not sure its for performance enhancing though ......but hes surely on chemicals !

I cant dispute that. Everytime i look at Akhtar even it becomes clear to me that the guy seriously must be on drugs, given the social crowd he hangs out with i am sure he must have had many opportunities to indulge in such activities.

In 2006 when Akhtar was tested positive for steroids till Aug 2007. Akhtar lost 60% of his hair and balded and one of the side effects of steroids is an 80% increase in hairloss hormones. It happened to a friend of mine who took steroids at one point in time.

But i am least bothered by it. When in this word, people can get away with murder, people can get away with financial corruption, moral corruption, match fixing, why should we hang a guy for a minor thing like steroids?

[nikred]

Originally Posted by Savak I cant dispute that. Everytime i look at Akhtar even it becomes clear to me that the guy seriously must be on drugs, given the social crowd he hangs out with i am sure he must have had many opportunities to indulge in such activities. In 2006 when Akhtar was tested positive for steroids till Aug 2007. Akhtar lost 60% of his hair and balded and one of the side effects of steroids is an 80% increase in hairloss hormones. It happened to a friend of mine who took steroids at one point in time. But i am least bothered by it. When in this word, people can get away with murder, people can get away with financial corruption, moral corruption, match fixing, why should we hang a guy for a minor thing like steroids?

are they going to hang shoiab for taking steroids?

[siddharth]

Originally Posted by nikred are they going to hang shoiab for taking steroids?

Now thats too unfair

[Foozee]

so what if he had syringes in his bag, its a free world... doin coke doesnt harm anyone

[Random Aussie]

Ah the good old "we'll sue you" threat

[siddharth]

Originally Posted by jusarrived syringes found with akthar or not ....hes certainly into drugs , but not sure its for performance enhancing though ......but hes surely on chemicals !

For the time being he will look athletic and strong ,but not a good thing to do exactly .Too much of side effects came up with these artificial boosters .

[Master Blaster]

How dare the saucy Pak media slander an "Indian" premier league player ??

Knight Riders should surely drag the Pak daily paper to the court in support of their trump card, their innocent little angel !!

[Darth Vader]

these days one can take performance enhanced proteins.....which are perfectly legal....to work out and could be called dope addict.....

everyone needs to shift their focus away from shoaib....this is ridiculous...... bad journalism to sell papers.

[OZGOD]

What's wrong with carrying syringes? Maybe Shoaib is a diabetic?

[SwEeT CaNdY]

Originally Posted by Inswinger What have the KKR got to do with this? The alleged incident was in a Pakistani airport, reported by a Pakistani paper, and all parties involved are Pakistani. If Shoaib wants to make something of i then I understand but KKR reps hould keep their mouth shut about this issue or a non-issue.

exactly...who r they to say anything in this case?

[feather]

Originally Posted by bublubhuyan Link: http://ipl.timesofindia.indiatimes.c...ow/3049548.cms "First, Shoaib travelled to India from Lahore, not Karachi. Secondly, he travelled to Kolkata via Delhi, not Mumbai. And thirdly, he did not travel with any hand baggage, therefore obviously there were no syringes,"

If the above is true it simply means the story was made up. Pak daily has published untrue story hence they should be made to pay for it.

[jusarrived]

Originally Posted by Savak I cant dispute that. Everytime i look at Akhtar even it becomes clear to me that the guy seriously must be on drugs, given the social crowd he hangs out with i am sure he must have had many opportunities to indulge in such activities. In 2006 when Akhtar was tested positive for steroids till Aug 2007. Akhtar lost 60% of his hair and balded and one of the side effects of steroids is an 80% increase in hairloss hormones. It happened to a friend of mine who took steroids at one point in time. But i am least bothered by it. When in this word, people can get away with murder, people can get away with financial corruption, moral corruption, match fixing, why should we hang a guy for a minor thing like steroids?

I have known so many people from my college days into chemicals ..... few of them quit , few do it occasionally & some still addicted .........the dark circles & hair loss are just the first signs ....if he continues this will eventually results in huge weight loss , have seen that happen to my friends ....but that wont happen till he stops playing cricket for akthar .... anyways not a big deal atall , you will be surprised to know the number of people who do this and still lead a normal life .....just bcos akthar is a celebrity they make a fuss about this , which is unfair IMO !

[Saj]

Its sad when some of the journos and newspapers around the world have to resort to rubbish like this to sell their newspapers.

[Savak]

Originally Posted by jusarrived I have known so many people from my college days into chemicals ..... few of them quit , few do it occasionally & some still addicted .........the dark circles & hair loss are just the first signs ....if he continues this will eventually results in huge weight loss , have seen that happen to my friends ....but that wont happen till he stops playing cricket for akthar .... anyways not a big deal atall , you will be surprised to know the number of people who do this and still lead a normal life .....just bcos akthar is a celebrity they make a fuss about this , which is unfair IMO !

True, i know my college friends who still do it. I met a 40 year old hot shot banker with kids and a wife, who was doing it with my college friends. So yes you are right about people doing all this. Its just our double standards for us to expect the likes of Shoaib Akhtar to be the perfect role model citizen, human beeing, muslim e.t.c people just cant accept that he can have vices just like everyone else including us.

[Hash]

Customs clearance for Shoaib

http://www.asianage.com/presentation...or-shoaib.aspx

By BIPIN DANI

Mumbai, May 19: Pakistani pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been given a "green chit" by the Lahore airport authorities.

Shahid Rahim Shaikh, the chief customs officer at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport, rubbished claims in Pakistani newspaper that Shoaib Akhtar travelled with the three dozen syringes with him on Pakistan International Airlines flight 270 from Lahore to Delhi on May 5.

Speaking from Lahore on Monday morning, he said, "it is ridiculous to claim this. There was no such incident reported to me. No other passenger either had brought such things in their baggage. We scanned the baggage of all passengers and there is no record of having any objectionable articles found in anyone’s baggage."

The custom official also asked, "what syringes are you talking about "?. Reminded that Shoaib had used prohibited drugs some two years ago, he said, "medical syringes are not even on the list of prohibited items. A few medicines are on the list but our officers would not allow any passenger, even a celebrity, to travel with these items," he clarified.

According to records made available to this reporter, Shoaib was seated in seat no 1-A in the PIA flight and the passenger seated next to him in seat 1-C was a British passport holder S. Ahmed (UK passport No: 540346725), who is his manager.

Surprisingly the Pakistani newspaper has not come forward to substantiate its claims. The reports contained gross inaccuracies — that Shoaib had landed in Mumbai via Karachi. The fact is he went to Kolkata from Lahore via Delhi

-------------------------------

More proof that this 'story' was nothing but a pack of lies by a liar journalist scumbag.

[Faisal Akhtar]

If only PCB had defended him throughout his career he might have had a longer career. Hats off to KKR for defending one of their players and showing the PCB up!

[Garuda]

If he really wants syringes, then why should he carry 3 dozen of them in his cabin bag?

Can't he get them in India if he wants?

Can't believe this news.

[Savak]

Originally Posted by Faisal Akhtar If only PCB had defended him throughout his career he might have had a longer career. Hats off to KKR for defending one of their players and showing the PCB up!

There are two kinds of support. One is financial and resource support which the PCB always provided to Shoaib Akhtar whenever he was injured or needed an operation or remedial work on his action. Kuddos to them, they looked after him when it came to all that.

But the PCB always failed when it came to providing Shoaib moral support especially during Inzi's and Bob's era. He was always portrayed as the bad boy harming team spirit even when he was performing with 5 wicket hauls. I am sure Shoaib would have felt much better had the PCB given him the necessary moral support whenever he needed it.

[Saj]

[QUOTE=Savak]There are two kinds of support. One is financial and resource support which the PCB always provided to Shoaib Akhtar whenever he was injured or needed an operation or remedial work on his action. Kuddos to them, they looked after him when it came to all that.

But the PCB always failed when it came to providing Shoaib moral support especially during Inzi's and Bob's era. He was always portrayed as the bad boy harming team spirit even when he was performing with 5 wicket hauls. I am sure Shoaib would have felt much better had the PCB given him the necessary moral support whenever he needed it.[/QUOTE]

Savak can you clarify what you mean by moral support ? What sort of support would you expect for an experienced sportsperson who was in his late 20s to early 30s ?

[moumotta]

Originally Posted by Garuda If he really wants syringes, then why should he carry 3 dozen of them in his cabin bag? Can't he get them in India if he wants? Can't believe this news.

Good point specially if he only had syringes and not the drugs. It lwould be odd that he could manage to find drugs in India but not the syringe.

[Savak]

[QUOTE=Saj]

Originally Posted by Savak There are two kinds of support. One is financial and resource support which the PCB always provided to Shoaib Akhtar whenever he was injured or needed an operation or remedial work on his action. Kuddos to them, they looked after him when it came to all that. But the PCB always failed when it came to providing Shoaib moral support especially during Inzi's and Bob's era. He was always portrayed as the bad boy harming team spirit even when he was performing with 5 wicket hauls. I am sure Shoaib would have felt much better had the PCB given him the necessary moral support whenever he needed it.[/QUOTE] Savak can you clarify what you mean by moral support ? What sort of support would you expect for an experienced sportsperson who was in his late 20s to early 30s ?

I was refering to a few instances of the Shahryar and DNA era. Shahryar made him go through the medical commission when Inzi accussed Akhtar of faking an injury in that Home 2004 test series against India. The PCB did not even stand up for him during that period and treated him as if they already felt as if he really did fake an injury. The Medical commission proved him to be innocent in the end.

After that, we come towards the period when Inzi, Bob ask Akhtar to cut down on his run up, but Akhtar doesnt agree with it. Then we start hearing reports of both Inzi, Bob wanting Akhtar out of the team even when he is actually performing coming up with 5 wicket hauls against Sri Lanka and Australia. Basically sending ambigious signals about Shoaib to the media and public, not having the courteousy to acknowledge that Shoaib was atleast performing, injuries, indiscipline ofcourse is a different issue. But in our college whenever our teachers talk about man management, a commonly emphasized point is you always mention something positive about the other person irrespective of his problems, difficulties, you need to mention a few positive things about him, mentioning only the negative aspects of his personality only end up affecting his actions, way of thinking. I believe Shoaib just became indifferent because he always perceived everyone beeing after him.

But overall i believe the DNA regime has been the worst when it comes to handling Shoaib. First even if both Asif and Shoaib had actually tested positive for steroids, there was no need to reveal this to the entire world and both the players could have been withdrawn on the pretext of injuries. But no DNA tried to act holier than the pope and revealed to the entire word that we are withdrawing our two cricketers for cheating and drug use. Whether the PCB came forward with it or the players were caught by the ICC, it stills comes down to more insult, humiliation for Pakistan in the end. Both Shoaib's and Asif's reputations were tainted by this episode.

Then we come to the bat hitting incident, fine the way things have turned out i agree based on the evidence, facts before us Shoaib is totally guilty and certainly deserved a heavy sentence for this unforgivable act. But the PCB never really revealed what happened that day between Shoaib, Asif and Afridi? They just punished Shoaib which is fine, fair enough but why not reveal what really happened, what was the context, what did Afridi, Asif say to Akhtar that provoked him into blowing up and assaulting a fellow cricketer? Thats all i wished to know. I dont believe Afridi was as innocent in the episode as he was made out to be. Surely something uncalled for was said to Shoaib that made him react like that. But at the end of it, major responsibility lied with Shoaib and he had no excuse for launching a physical assault on a fellow player period.

Then we have the Indian tour, where Shoaib atleast performed more effectively then the rest of the other bowlers like Kaneria, Sami, the batters had once again failed. Shoaib played a test match on antibiotics after spending 4 days in the hospital but he was still allowed to play by the team management but he was blamed for playing. What the team management should have done was to personally intervene and forbidding Shoaib from playing and revealing to the press that Shoaib wanted to play but they intervened as he wasnt ready enough. What does the PCB do? It says that it has lost confidence in Akhtar and doesnt give him a central contract at all while Kaneria is given one despite not performing even though he was fully fit.

Then we have Shoaib criticizing the PCB for preparing a flat wicket in that pentagular cup and then we see Shoaib banned for the tournament. Later we see Shoaib banned for 5 years for just a lousy media statement. Shoaib ofcourse is no angel nor innocent but he hasnt been dealt with properly nor been given the moral support of the team, PCB. What was done to Akhtar was wrong and just because it was done to him doesnt make it right for him. Thats all i wish to say.

[Monsee]

So now that the tables have turned...why Shoaib is so upset about a little report about him carrying a few syringes? (even if the report is untrue)

It was only yesterday when he opened his big mouth and accused a few people of asking for bribes/sheres from him and a few others of match fixing...only to turn around and issue a Public Apology!

For once he is getting the taste of his own medicine!