Next two months critical for me, says Zaheer

Pace bowler Zaheer Khan has praised Indian cricket officials for opposing the WADA ‘whereabouts’ clause after some top players took objection to it. “Athletes all over the world seem to have objections to the WADA clause and I am glad the Indian Cricket Board has taken the initiative in this regard,” Zaheer said on the sidelines of a pace hunt programme being run by Dabur called ‘Ace of Pace’.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had rejected the WADA clause that makes it mandatory for players to reveal where they will be for one hour each day. The cricket board contended that it amounted to an infringement of fundamental rights and that revealing the whereabouts of players could pose a security threat to them.

“None of the cricketers have any objections to being tested. We understand that it is important for us to help keep the game free of dope, but we are concerned about a few clauses,” added Zaheer, who is recuperating from a shoulder injury that is likely to keep him out of the game till December. Zaheer said he was in the midst of a strenuous rehabilitation programme. “The next two months are critical because the more intense part starts now. I will be off to Johannesburg in a few days and know I have to really work hard to regain fitness,” said India’s premier seam bowler, who had to miss a recent one-day series in the West Indies because of the injury to his left shoulder.

“Injuries are part and parcel of the game and you have to be patient and try to do the right things. A lot depends on the rehabilitation period and one can’t predict when one will be able to recover fully,” said Zaheer, adding that he did not want to hurry back into international cricket. “I know I will be missing important matches including those of the Champions Trophy, but I want to come back only when I am 100 per cent fit. I don’t want to let the team down,” he said.