Controversial Shoaib a class act, says Younis

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, February 4: Pakistan's cricket captain Waqar Younis on Monday brushed aside the controversy over fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar's action, describing him as a class act and worthy match-winner.

"The debate over his action is over and done with," Waqar said after Shoaib claimed a career-best 5-24 to lead Pakistan to a resounding 170-run win over the West Indies here.

"On his day, Shoaib is as fast as anyone else in the world. Whether it is a slow wicket or a fast one, you can't keep him out for long.

"He is a match-winner and a class act."

Shoaib, reported for a suspect action many times in his career, faces a year's suspension if he is again hauled up by the umpires or match referee.

But neither Mike Denness, the match referee for the current series, or umpires George Sharp and Mohammad Riazuddin have publicly expressed any reservations about the Pakistani's action.

Shoaib had been tutored during the course of the match by former West Indian fast bowling great, Michael Holding, who is here as a television commentator.

Holding, whose graceful run-up to the crease and smooth action earned him the nickname of the "Rolls Royce of fast bowlers", however declined to comment on Shoaib's bent arm while delivering the ball.

Waqar, himself an outstanding fast bowler, said Shoaib's confidence returned on the recent tour of Bangladesh during which Pakistan won both Tests for a 2-0 whitewash.

"He was a bit hesitant before that tour, but worked hard to build up a good rhythm," he said.

"I am very pleased for him because he is bowling as well as anytime during his career.

"I just hope Shoaib can carry on the good work, because he is a very important part of our attack."

West Indian captain Carl Hooper refused to be drawn into Shoaib's action, but conceded he bowled exceedingly well and fast.

"It is not for me to comment on his action," Hooper said. "I have played him two or three times before, and he is as quick as ever."

Hooper blamed the team's batting for the Test defeat, the fourth successive loss for the West Indies after the 3-0 rout in Sri Lanka late last year.

"In a nutshell, we batted poorly and that cost us the match," he said after the West Indies lost nine wickets for 56 runs - the last seven for 25 - to be shot out for 171 in their second innings.

"It's not that we played badly all through, we had our moments and then let the advatange slip.

"We can beat Pakistan, but against a good side like theirs, one has to seize the chances that come. We did not do that here."

Hooper said he was confident of doing well in the second and final Test from Thursday, despite the heavy loss on Monday.