Ball tampering issue rises again

Fears of ball tampering surfaced again at the Rose Bowl, where Sky Sports broadcast pictures of Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Ahktar working suspiciously on the ball.

The slow-motion replays showed Akhtar flicking or scratching the ball with his thumb as he walked back the beginning of his run-up. Commentators ventured that while Akhtar may have only been removing dirt or grass from the seam, his actions were ‘very, very silly’ given the current situation with regards to Pakistan and ball tampering following the debacle at The Oval a little over a fortnight ago.

No further evidence was televised, and it remains to be seen whether the match referee, who is again Mike Procter, will take any action.