A 98 MPH Snorter

The timing is also opportune for Shoaib because currently the PCB set-up itself is tottering (the grapevine has it that the lease of life granted by the president Gen Pervez Musharraf extends only till mid-April, by when the forthcoming tour concludes). A dismal show in India would surely put paid to any hopes of continual in office for the board members.

Given this state of affairs, the view in Pakistani cricketing circles is that the frothing at the mouth of the officialdom isn't just meant at disciplining the erring speedster. For, by bringing Shoaib's shenanigans under such intense public scrutiny, the board has not just passed the onus of failure on to the ace pacer, it has at the same time tried to mask its own impotence and inability at damage control.

Yet another thing that goes in his favour is the installation of Salim Altaf—the same man who handed Shoaib the national Test and one-day cap in his previous avatar as chief selector in 1997-98 and who thus has a special bond with him—as PCB's director, cricket operations. It's a point of conjecture whether Altaf will actively work to get some relief for this fastest of bowlers.Shoaib, on the other hand, would definitely feel reassured by his presence in a decision-making position.

Whatever the gravity of Shoaib's offence, his ability to win matches for his country and the way his presence lights up a stadium means he has lost few admirers. While Shoaib's fans concede that his repeatedly stepping out of line was a serious hindrance to developing the team spirit needed to stay competitive— especially on a difficult, gruelling tour like that of Australia—it takes two to tango. Woolmer and Inzamam, exasperated as they were, too were guilty of sparing no occasion to run him down under full media glare.

The big question, however, is not Shoaib Akhtar's ability, nor his form—for ability is there and form will come back if he applies himself. It revolves around his fitness (2-3 weeks to get to full harness, that means he would be at best half-fit at the start of the tour) and whether he is going to reform himself.

Shoaib may be allowed to walk even after this latest brush with authority, but if he doesn't reform himself, it'll ultimately determine how long he gets to wear the green cap, not to mention derail his own captaincy ambitions.