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16/08/10 - ENGLAND V PAKISTAN: PLOT THICKENS AS STUART BROAD IS BLAMED FOR ZULQARNAIN HAIDER'S INJURY
By Derek Pringle, 15 Aug 2010
Not for the first time the Oval Test promises to be a controversial affair, after suggestions from Pakistan that Stuart Broad's petulant throw at Zulqarnain Haider at Edgbaston could have caused the fracture that threatens to keep him out of the third Test, which starts on Wednesday.
Some places just attract trouble and it was the Brit Oval where resentments peaked on Pakistan's last tour. On that occasion, accusations of ball tampering from umpire Darrell Hair, after he'd changed the ball during England's second innings, saw Pakistan walk off and refuse to complete the game.
Never a team to underplay perceived slights, especially when playing as poorly as they are, Pakistan have kept the Broad incident at Edgbaston simmering away, despite the matter appearing to be closed after the bowler was fined by the match referee.
The controversy was reheated on Friday when an X-ray confirmed a hairline fracture to the little finger on Haider's right hand. Asked whether Broad's throw had played a part, Yawar Saeed, Pakistan's team manager, simply said "Yes." He also confirmed that Haider will see a specialist in London either today or tomorrow.
But are Pakistan being disingenuous by blaming Broad? Haider, who top-scored at Edgbaston, was certainly struck on the right hand by Broad's medium-powered throw from 15 yards, after which he did remove his glove and inspect the little finger on his right hand.
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk
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