Akram's comments follow a warning issued to Akhtar by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday telling him to improve his conduct while playing for the national team.

"The medical inquiry was a big mishap. We should have avoided it. (It was carried out) simply because India was a better team and they beat Pakistan," Akram told AFP.

Doubts had been raised over an injury Akhtar claimed during the decisive third and final Test against India in Rawalpindi after he hurt his wrist and back in a fall on his follow through on the second day.

The 28-year-old Akhtar did not take the field on the third day, but his coming out to bat seemingly unaffected on the fourth day raised suspicions over the extent of his injury.

He and three other Pakistani players appeared before a four-member medical commission formed by PCB to assess a spate of injuries to Pakistani players during the third Test which Pakistan lost by an innings and along with it the series 2-1.

Akram, a veteran of 104 Tests and 352 one-day games for Pakistan, said: "I think the captain, coach and the manager should handle a player and it should not happen like this. How can you assess an injury after two weeks.

"Nobody knows where the medical commission's report is and what the aim of the inquiry was."

Akhtar who left for England on Sunday to play for Durham county told AFP: "I will have a rest and scans on my injuries before I regain full fitness to play for Durham. No player can imagine faking an injury and I always take pride in playing for Pakistan."

Akhtar made his Test debut under Wasim Akram against the West Indies in 1997-98.

Earlier, Akhtar escaped with a caution from the PCB after suggestions he feigned the injury.

"We have decided not to impose any penalty on him. But the board has taken serious note of Akhtar's conduct after he left the field, which according to the doctors, management and captain, demoralised the spirit in the dressing room," PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan told a press conference in the eastern city of Lahore on Saturday.

"He has been warned that he will not in future be given special treatment on the basis of reputation and that he will have to demonstrate his discipline, his fitness and to prove his playing ability in domestic cricket to earn selection."

The medical commission found a stress injury to one of Akhtar's ribs but could not judge if was new or old. Shaharyar said other players had received similar warnings.

"The manner in which the team surrendered in the final Test was disgusting. Other offending members of the team must also share the blame for not showing grit and fighting spirit," he added.