Pic by - Johann J (SNNI)

Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has apologized for his bust-up with team mate Mohammad Asif after being sent home from the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa.

Akhtar was heading back from Johannesburg on Friday on the orders of team management after hitting Asif on the thigh with a bat during their spat in the nets on Thursday.

"It was a two-minute temper loss that has ruined my comeback to the national team. I apologized to Asif immediately but the damage had been done," he told Reuters before departing.

He compared his loss of temper and the situation he faced to that of former French footballer Zinedine Zidane, who head-butted Italian Marco Materazzi in the World Cup final last year. Zidane was sent off and France subsequently lost the final to Italy.

"I see my predicament as very similar to that of Zidane. It just happened in the heat of the moment. But I should not have been provoked by what Asif said."

He declined to say what his team mate had said to provoke the response, but added he would explain everything at a news conference after returning home on Saturday.

"What is upsetting is that this incident has caused immense embarrassment not only to myself but also to the team and Pakistan cricket," he said.

"People have to understand I am also a human being and can react. It happened in a fit of anger but I regret it completely now."

Akhtar had an altercation with former coach, Bob Woolmer, also in South Africa earlier this year during the second test at Port Elizabeth.

Pakistan, who begin their campaign in Group D next Wednesday against Scotland in Durban, picked 22-year-old rookie all-rounder Sohail Tanvir to replace Akhtar in the squad.

Uncapped Tanvir, a left-arm pacer and left-handed batsman booked his place after taking four for 47 against the Australia 'A' side in a one-day game on Friday.