Plot thickens as Broad comes under fire

London: 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 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 from simmering away, despite the matter appearing to be closed after the bowler was fined by the match referee.

Controversy

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 yesterday or today. 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.

The plot thickens, however, as Haider is first thought to have first damaged that finger in practice during the Test match against Australia at Headingley, though this is something the keeper has denied on his Facebook web page. If Broad's uncalled-for throw was the culprit, Haider batted on without obvious discomfort.

Indeed, it can't be too bad even now, if, as reported, he was taking balls from Pakistan's fast bowlers in practice during the rain-affected match against Worcestershire over the weekend. Agendas in Pakistan cricket are many and it is not beyond the realms of possibility that there might have been an order from above to reinstate Kamran Akmal.

But if there hasn't been a directive from on high and the finger specialist doesn't find anything more serious than a crack in his pinky, then Haider could play tomorrow. There might also be a role for Umar Gul, the fast bowler who injured his hamstring at Edgbaston. Initial reports were that Gul was out for the remaining Tests and probably the one-day series too.

Injured

Yet he too was active at Worcester, not in the match, but doing shuttles that no one with even a slightly strained hamstring would contemplate.

Word is that Wahab Riaz, a left-arm pace bowler will take his place at the Oval, but don't put your house on it. With England announcing an unchanged XI, and with 100 days left before the first Ashes Test, it all adds up to more obfuscation from Pakistan just when Andrew Strauss most needs them to give his side a decent game.