Akhtar dismisses allegations about Tait's action

Sydney, Dec 16 (UNI) Pakistan pace spearhead Shoaib Akhtar has dismissed allegations about Shaun Tait's ''suspect'' bowling action and has called for his inclusion in the Australian squad for the opening Test against India.

''This is bulls---. My advice is leave Shaun Tait alone,'' Akhtar was quoted as saying by the Herald Sun. ''There is no way in the world Tait is a chucker.'' The Rawalpindi Express accused the Kiwis of trying to destroy his career in 2001 by branding him as a chucker. He alleged that Tait is being similarly targeted.

''They (Kiwis) seem to have a problem just because he bowls express pace. The Kiwis tried to do this to me in 2001,'' he said. ''I had just come back from injury and a certain player - I won't name him - made a complaint about my action.'' ''What they are doing to Tait is terrible.'' Akhtar claimed that Indian batsmen are terrified of raw pace and urged the Aussie selectors to include him in the Boxing Day Test against India.

Tait's action was called into question by New Zealand after the Twenty20 game against the Ausies at Perth.

UNI