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Injured Shoaib and Gul return home

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KARACHI, Pakistan -- Pakistani fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Umar Gul will return home from South Africa after being injured on the tour, an official said on Monday.

"Shoaib has been ruled out of action for at least two weeks with a grade one hamstring tear and has also developed fluid in his knee," Saleem Altaf, Pakistan's director of cricket operations said.

Shoaib played his first test in 11 months at Port Elizabeth last week and took four wickets in South Africa's first innings but the injury prevented him from bowling in the second innings.

Altaf said Gul had suffered an ankle injury which had not healed completely.

"Both the players would be examined by a medical commission when they return home," he said.

He said it was unlikely they would be available for the one-day series in South Africa next month.

Altaf also said team manager Talat Ali had held a disciplinary hearing after television cameras captured Shoaib in an altercation with coach Bob Woolmer in the dressing room before the start of play on the second day on Saturday.

"The manager has taken appropriate action and Akhtar has been fined," he added.

He said the selectors would decide if any replacements would be sent to South Africa.

Shoaib was cleared of a doping offence last month.

Indian fan arrested

A man was arrested on Monday for pushing India coach Greg Chappell as he left an airport in eastern India with his cricket team, a police officer said.

The incident occurred as more than two dozen demonstrators protested at the team's arrival because no players from Orissa state were included in India's squad.

Indian cricket board vice-president Rajiv Shukla said that the 58-year-old Chappell was unhurt and had been immediately rushed into the team bus stationed outside the airport gate.

"My information is that Greg has not been hurt but this is a serious security lapse on part of the Orissa police," said Shukla, speaking from New Delhi.

"We have demanded that the state government increase security for the two teams."

The attacker, identified as Biranchi Maharana by local officials, was arrested soon after the incident.

"I am angry with Chappell because no player from Orissa has been included in the national team," Maharana shouted to reporters before being whisked away in a police jeep.

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