Shoaib denies allegations

NEW DELHI – Cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has denied charges by the Pakistan team’s security officer that he slapped coach Bob Woolmer, misbehaved in a disco and banged on Indian coach Greg Chappell’s hotel door.

Anil Kaul, a retired Indian army colonel who served as the Pakistani team’s security officer during the Champions Trophy, said the incidents took place in Jaipur ahead of Pakistan’s first match on October 17. “During a bus journey there was an impasse over whether to listen to Indian or western music.Woolmer tried to crack a joke on Shoaib, who then slapped him on the neck,” Kaul told NDTV news channel Thursday.Two days later, Shoaib and fellow fast bowler Mohammad Asif were called home by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after they tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone.Woolmer denied the slapping incident, but admitted there had been a disciplinary problem with Shoaib, without elaborating.Kaul also said Shoaib had to be pulled out of a disco by security staff after he insisted on dancing with one particular girl and then created chaos in the corridors of the hotel.Shoaib, whose cricketing future is in doubt after he was handed a two-year ban after his positive drugs test, vehemently denied the charges made by Kaul.Nampa-AFP”During a bus journey there was an impasse over whether to listen to Indian or western music.Woolmer tried to crack a joke on Shoaib, who then slapped him on the neck,” Kaul told NDTV news channel Thursday.Two days later, Shoaib and fellow fast bowler Mohammad Asif were called home by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after they tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone.Woolmer denied the slapping incident, but admitted there had been a disciplinary problem with Shoaib, without elaborating.Kaul also said Shoaib had to be pulled out of a disco by security staff after he insisted on dancing with one particular girl and then created chaos in the corridors of the hotel.Shoaib, whose cricketing future is in doubt after he was handed a two-year ban after his positive drugs test, vehemently denied the charges made by Kaul.Nampa-AFP