Shoaib sent home from Twenty20 Cup

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- Pakistan paceman Shoaib Ahktar has been sent home from the World Twenty20 Cup after a dressing room showdown with team-mate Mohammad Asif.

Akhtar, the world's fastest bowler, allegedly struck new ball partner Asif on the leg with a bat after a furious row following a training session in Johannesburg on Thursday, the Pakistan Cricket Board said.

"The tour management has heard the two players and they have decided to send Shoaib Akhtar back. The Pakistan Cricket Board fully endorses this decision," PCB chief executive officer Shafqat Naghm said.

"Shoaib Akhtar will be returning on the first available flight."

It is the latest in a series of setbacks for Ahktar, who has played just for one-day matches and two Tests for his country in the last 19 months.

He and Asif both tested positive for the steroid nandrolone in 2006 and were given lengthy bans which were subsequently overturned by the Pakistan authorities.

Akhtar also missed Pakistan's World Cup campaign in the Caribbean earlier this year, which was marred by the death of coach Bob Woolmer, through injury -- but had hoped to make an impact in South Africa.

The decision to send him home received the backing of several former Pakistan Test stars.

Former paceman Waqar Younis told news channel CNN-IBN: "Harsh punishments have to be given to Shoaib. Anyone behaving like this should not be in the team. His act has brought shame to the team and the nation."

Another former player Rameez Raja, now a cricket commentator, added: "Both the players are the temperamental type. But this behavior is not acceptable. I don't see him playing in the immediate future for Pakistan. I don't think he will get much support from the fans -- people are tired of his tantrums."

Mohammad Sami is likely to be called up as a replacement.

Meanwhile, England have called up fast bowler James Anderson to their squad for the tournament following the injury that ruled out all-rounder Ravi Bopara.

Bopara, 22, dislocated and fractured the thumb on his bowling hand in England's fifth one-day international against India at Headingley on Saturday. E-mail to a friend