Pakistan Cricket Board recovers fine from Shahid Afridi
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has recovered a fine of Rs 4.5 million from former national captain Shahid Afridi.
A senior official of the board confirmed that the finance department had deducted the fine amount from the dues that were to be paid to Afridi for the World Cup and tour to West Indies. “In total the board had to pay him around Rs 5.5 million out of which we deducted the fine amount in full,” the official said. The disciplinary committee of the board had fined Afridi for several breaches of the code of conduct last month.
The fine came after a stand off between Afridi and the PCB allowing his removal as captain of the national one-day squad in May. After he withdraw a case against the PCB from the Sindh high court, Afridi appeared before the disciplinary committee which fined him but asked the board to issue him an NOC to go and play for Hampshire in England’s domestic Twenty20 event.
This is the second highest fine amount recovered from a Pakistani player by the board after the record Rs seven million that were deducted from retired fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar’s dues. The official said the finance department had also deducted the half a million rupees fine from wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider. Meanwhile, the PCB is keen to use the Decision Review System in their upcoming series against Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates. “We are working on ways to have the UDRS in the series with Sri Lanka this year,” a senior official of the board said. Admitting that the biggest problem facing the PCB in having the DRS was the absence of an agreement with its TV broadcaster, Ten Sports on its mandatory use and the extra costs involved in the exercise.
“Since having the UDRS is not part of our agreement with our broadcaster it means an extra cost of $40,000 to 50,000 for us,” he said.
“As far as the use of ball tracking technology is concerned (Hawkeye) this can be used if both boards agree on using this technology although it would mean extra costs for the hosts,” the official said. “Our players support this technology. We had even tried to have it for our home Test series with South Africa last year in the UAE but things didn’t work out with the broadcaster. But the PCB official conceded any use of the technology would be done with the approval of the Sri Lankan Cricket. Pakistan play their “home” series against Sri Lanka in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in October-November followed by another “home” series against England at the same venues in January
Kamran seeks guidance from former wicket keepers
Wicket keeper Kamran Akmal has decided that he will seek guidance from former wicket keepers Wasim Bari, Moin Khan, Rashid Latif and Saleem Yousuf to improve his game, Geo News reported.
Kamran Akmal is training alongside Test cricketer Mohammed Hafiz at the National Cricket Academy.
Speaking to the media Akmal said he was going through intense training to correct mistakes which were brought to light during the World Cup.
Razzaq urges fans to keep the faithA senior official of the board confirmed that the finance department had deducted the fine amount from the dues that were to be paid to Afridi for the World Cup and tour to West Indies. “In total the board had to pay him around Rs 5.5 million out of which we deducted the fine amount in full,” the official said. The disciplinary committee of the board had fined Afridi for several breaches of the code of conduct last month.
The fine came after a stand off between Afridi and the PCB allowing his removal as captain of the national one-day squad in May. After he withdraw a case against the PCB from the Sindh high court, Afridi appeared before the disciplinary committee which fined him but asked the board to issue him an NOC to go and play for Hampshire in England’s domestic Twenty20 event.
This is the second highest fine amount recovered from a Pakistani player by the board after the record Rs seven million that were deducted from retired fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar’s dues. The official said the finance department had also deducted the half a million rupees fine from wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider. Meanwhile, the PCB is keen to use the Decision Review System in their upcoming series against Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates. “We are working on ways to have the UDRS in the series with Sri Lanka this year,” a senior official of the board said. Admitting that the biggest problem facing the PCB in having the DRS was the absence of an agreement with its TV broadcaster, Ten Sports on its mandatory use and the extra costs involved in the exercise.
“Since having the UDRS is not part of our agreement with our broadcaster it means an extra cost of $40,000 to 50,000 for us,” he said.
“As far as the use of ball tracking technology is concerned (Hawkeye) this can be used if both boards agree on using this technology although it would mean extra costs for the hosts,” the official said. “Our players support this technology. We had even tried to have it for our home Test series with South Africa last year in the UAE but things didn’t work out with the broadcaster. But the PCB official conceded any use of the technology would be done with the approval of the Sri Lankan Cricket. Pakistan play their “home” series against Sri Lanka in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in October-November followed by another “home” series against England at the same venues in January
Kamran seeks guidance from former wicket keepers
Kamran Akmal is training alongside Test cricketer Mohammed Hafiz at the National Cricket Academy.
Speaking to the media Akmal said he was going through intense training to correct mistakes which were brought to light during the World Cup.
“I hope that this win will lift the gloom around our cricket, lift team’s morale which had dipped because of the recent controversies and defeats,” Razzaq said after hitting a 72-ball 109 in the second one-day on Sunday.
Razzaq’s knock, studded with ten towering sixes and seven boundaries, helped Pakistan pull off a win with just one ball to spare and level the five-match series at 1-1.
The third match will be played in Dubai on Tuesday.
“Every time there is a controversy or we lose one or two matches, people start to write us off, which is wrong. I would request the fans to please keep faith in us so that we can lift ourselves,” said Razzaq.
Pakistan cricket has been rocked by spot-fixing allegations sparked during their recent tour of England.
Three key players – Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir – were suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) over various breaches of the players’ disciplinary code during that tour.
The suspensions came following revelations in British newspaper the News of the World, which claimed several Pakistan players took money to follow orders from a bookmaker during the Lord’s Test against England in August.
The ICC code of conduct commissioner Sunday upheld the suspensions after hearing appeals from Salman and Amir. Asif had withdrawn his appeal.
On top of the controversies, Pakistan lost both Twenty20 matches before losing the first day-night international in the ongoing series against South Africa.
The 30-year-old Razzaq, whose century was his first innings of over fifty in four years, was outspoken in the way that he had been used by selectors.
“I always play the match as if it is my last,” said Razzaq, who made his debut in 1995.
“I think my talent has not been properly utilised both in batting and bowling, especially my batting spot has never been permanent,” said Razzaq.
Pakistan is on track for next year’s World Cup, said Razzaq.
“We are a good team and have a very good combination for the World Cup and we can do well in that mega event,” said Razzaq, who missed out on the last World Cup, held in the West Indies four years ago, due to injury.
India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh jointly host the 50-over World Cup early next year. —
Senior, junior players to get chance in upcoming tours: Younis
Younis returned home from Australia after a private trip and was talking to the media at the Lahore airport.
While praising the cricket camp in Lahore, he said that it is a positive step to highlight the young talent who can benefit from such training camps. He also said that he will be concentrating on cricket now after coming back from his personal trip.
The coach said that he will request the senior players like Javed Miandad and Wasim Akram to give tips to fresh players.
Younis was hopeful that the team will deliver good performance in the coming season.
He refused to comment when asked about the case hearing of Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif.
Waqar plays down Afridi’s retirement decision
Pakistan’s head coach Waqar Younis, while playing down Shahid Afridi’s decision of retiring from international cricket, has said every cricketer has to retire one day.
All retired players are missed. Similarly, Afridi will also be missed. It was the case even with me and many other renowned players like Imran Khan and Wasim Akram.
“But there are always other youngsters who can replace the retired players,” Waqar said while talking to reporters at the National Cricket Academy, where he joined the Fast Track Camp’s second phase, after missing the first one, which ended on July 18.
Afridi had announced his retirement over differences with the team management, including Waqar, manager Intikhab Alam and PCB chairman Ijaz Butt after leading the national side in the last one-day series against the West Indies.
He had also said he would not reverse his decision until the present PCB management was working.
However, Waqar, while ignoring Afridi’s retirement, had suggested to the PCB in his report of the West Indies tour to search for a young captain and groom him as ageing Misbah-ul-Haq could not remain fit for a long time.
To a question, Waqar dispelled the impression that he was working like a dictator as he could not maintain smooth relationship with various captains in the past.
He admitted that grooming a strong opening pair was still a problem and asked prominent openers to come forward to help him in this regard.
“We have been facing problems in the opening department since long and I request former opening players like Mohsin Khan, Mudassar Nazar, Aamir Sohail and Saeed Anwar to come forward to help us,” he said.
Waqar also urged former great Javed Miandad to help youngsters, particularly at the top of the order.
“I believe anyone who can help me should come forward because we have to take Pakistan cricket forward in the right direction,” he said.
Waqar endorsed the decision of chief selector Mohsin Khan by saying a good number of young players would be tested in the upcoming one-day series against low-rated Zimbabwe, which is going to be held in August this year.
He said the decision of holding the fast track camp was good and hoped players would overcome their flaws.
Shahid Afridi: the story of my life
All retired players are missed. Similarly, Afridi will also be missed. It was the case even with me and many other renowned players like Imran Khan and Wasim Akram.
“But there are always other youngsters who can replace the retired players,” Waqar said while talking to reporters at the National Cricket Academy, where he joined the Fast Track Camp’s second phase, after missing the first one, which ended on July 18.
Afridi had announced his retirement over differences with the team management, including Waqar, manager Intikhab Alam and PCB chairman Ijaz Butt after leading the national side in the last one-day series against the West Indies.
He had also said he would not reverse his decision until the present PCB management was working.
However, Waqar, while ignoring Afridi’s retirement, had suggested to the PCB in his report of the West Indies tour to search for a young captain and groom him as ageing Misbah-ul-Haq could not remain fit for a long time.
To a question, Waqar dispelled the impression that he was working like a dictator as he could not maintain smooth relationship with various captains in the past.
He admitted that grooming a strong opening pair was still a problem and asked prominent openers to come forward to help him in this regard.
“We have been facing problems in the opening department since long and I request former opening players like Mohsin Khan, Mudassar Nazar, Aamir Sohail and Saeed Anwar to come forward to help us,” he said.
Waqar also urged former great Javed Miandad to help youngsters, particularly at the top of the order.
“I believe anyone who can help me should come forward because we have to take Pakistan cricket forward in the right direction,” he said.
Waqar endorsed the decision of chief selector Mohsin Khan by saying a good number of young players would be tested in the upcoming one-day series against low-rated Zimbabwe, which is going to be held in August this year.
He said the decision of holding the fast track camp was good and hoped players would overcome their flaws.
Shahid Afridi: the story of my life
No-one in world cricket plays quite like Shahid Afridi. Not Flintoff, not Pietersen, not Jayasuriya, not even Gilchrist. His strike-rate is higher than any batsman in Test cricket history; his slightly pigeon-toed walk to the wicket a guarantee of fireworks. All the pundits say it and it’s true: Boom Boom Afridi only knows how to play one way. The first time he batted in international cricket, aged 16, he hit a century off 37 balls, a world record that still stands. The decade since that debut is littered with similar feats.
The Pakistan management haven’t always known what to do with their maverick entertainer over the years. Thought to be uncoachable, Afridi plays his natural game, regardless of match situation or designated role and it took well over two years for the ODI prodigy to be entrusted with a Test call. Even when he was, appearances were sporadic, despite his ODI successes and the love of the Pakistan public. When new coach Bob Woolmer recalled him to the team in January 2005, he had not played a Test for two and a half years.
Woolmer, recognising Afridi’s chaotic potential to turn even a Test in half an hour’s brutal hitting, is happy to back Afridi as the team’s wild card. His faith has been repaid: it was Afridi’s 58 off 34 balls on the fourth day – the second fastest 50 in Test history – that helped turn the last game of the India series at Bangalore in 2005: the next day, he ripped out the India middle-order (Tendulkar, Ganguly, Laxman) to clinch the win and a series draw. Afridi followed that up with 92 off 85 balls against England at Faisalabad in the winter and two consecutive tons against India in January. The ton in Faisalabad – 156 off 128 balls – included 116 runs in boundaries.
In April, having finally established himself as a truested first-choice in both forms of the game, Afridi announced his retirement from Tests, saying he wanted to concentrade on the World Cup. Two weeks later, he changed his mind.
- Born in the Khyber Agency – the region of Pakistan nearest Afghanistan – Afridi grew up, and learnt his cricket in, Karachi, though his links with the northern areas remain strong. Still only 26, Afridi’s profile internationally remains low, despite his duel status as Pakistani icon and the world’s quickest-ever batter. Full-length interviews are a rarity for him, despite the fact that he speaks good English and has an extraordinary tale to tell. Afridi broke his silence to speak to SPIN in a revealing interview that covered everything from his philosophy of batting, to the history of bust-ups in the Pakistan dressing-room to – oh yes – his love of guns…
Before the tournament, there were four or five guys who said to the chairman that they didn’t want Waqar Younis as captain. So if the senior guys don’t want the captain, what can you expect? I didn’t see any unity in the team. Right from 1996 when I came into the team, the cricket board has changed a lot of times, the captaincy has changed a lot: I’ve played under eight or nine captains; a few of the captains didn’t like me. Because of all the ins and outs, all the liking and disliking, they made the atmosphere shit. But after that, Inzamam and Bob Woolmer have come in and really worked hard with the guys. Now the team combination is very good and Bob and the captain keep the team very united. In the past we missed that. Now, Inzamam is the senior most-guy and we have a lot of juniors. But in the past, everyone was senior: Wasim, Waqar, Moin, Ijaz, Rashid Latif. And it cant work if there’s only big names in the teamSo now the team is very united. They’re listening to what the captain says and that makes a big difference.I come from the Northern areas, the Khyber Agency. I’m Pathan: all the Pathans are very aggressive. They’re like the Irish. [laughs] Very aggressive people. It’s in our blood. I like to play positive cricket. I like to be aggressive. It’s what cricket’s all about, you know? I don’t care if I get out. I try and play a positive game
Abdul Razzaq 62 off 30 balls batting highlights in leicestershire won by 4 wickets
Umer Akmal A Real Star.
NewZealand: In the First Test match against Pakistan NZ put a reasonable total on the board. By repeating the triditions Pakistan batting lineup fell in trouble in the early session of the first inning. At one time Pakistan lose its five wickets just on 85. But the two Akmal brothers played their role to save the test. After the ton of younger brother Kamran lost its mind on tried to go after the NZ Skipper but he lost his wicket. Young Akmal hit the ball all around the ground and scored a respected debut ton. The brothers saved the best for Bond, though. After Kamran hit him for three boundaries in two overs, Umar gave him the real treatment in the next. Three short deliveries, three pulls, left of mid-on, right of mid-on, and through midwicket, and the partnership had crossed 100. Umar had reached 72 off 91 then, and Kamran 47 off 81
There's Something about Afridi!
Never judge a book by its cover. Similarly, never judge a Pakistani cricketer by the fan-following he commands because at the end of the day, things will turn out the way they always does - the PCB way! The case between Shahid Afridi and PCB has reached a point where the loss would be the player's, and the board will have the last laugh.
Before we move ahead, there is something about Shahid Afridi you must know. If you want to tell something to the world, the best way to make it known to all is to tell this bloke. He knows every sports journalist (and now politicians as well) in the country and your message will get the best coverage possible. As for his comments about Karachi-Lahore rivalry, nonsense board officials, his damaged self-esteem and above all, injury-plagued team, nothing has changed in the last 2 weeks. The team is still comprised of the same old players, the coach and manager are still there, Karachi and Lahore rivalry hasn't been quashed and above all, the nonsense board officials are still working. What has changed (besides the suspension of the thick-headed Mohammad Ilyas from the selection panel!) is that Afridi’s self-esteem has suffered another dent.
The moment he met PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt over a cup of tea (on the insistence of some high-ranking government officials), the media got the wind of the meet (and you must know by now who gave them that piece of information). Every news channel in the country claimed to have been told by reliable sources about the meeting, something we must now used to. The drop scene came a few hours later when the board finally admitted to the meeting, meaning the source was really very reliable.
Shahid Afridi is not a new cricketer on the block. In fact he is one of the senior most cricketers around. But it seems his international career as a captain, a player and an all-rounder is as good as over since he has rubbed his colleagues the wrong way. He will get an NOC to play domestic Twenty20 cricket anywhere in the world, but he is likely not to represent Pakistan at the world level. Shoaib Malik, Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf all had issues with board but they never made them as public as Afridi did. He must have known that his actions will please less people and irk more, but to err is Shahid Afridi. Or maybe he was carried away by the politician-like reception he got in Karachi on his return from England!
Please do not forget Shoaib Akhtar
Although the ‘Rawalpindi express’ has run out of steam and the aeroplane is grounded forever, Shoaib Akhtar, the man is never going to be erased from our memories. He will remain in the minds and hearts of cricket lovers for a long time to come. He has given a lot to cricket and the nation. Now PCB has a duty to give something back to its son. But PCB as we all know can certainly do this – disregard and disrespect a national hero.
Shoaib Akhtar has announced his retirement from all forms of the game. His announcement, for his supporters and critics alike, has come at the right time, a rarity for a Pakistani cricketer of late. Remarkably and to his credit he is going as a speedster, though a huffing and puffing one, unlike many of the past fast bowling legends. Alas we would not be hearing his grunts on the field and watching the batsmen hop, evade or bowled will become a thing of past.
Just like his belated departure from the game, his arrival too was delayed in 1997. He was initially selected for Sahara Cup to be played in Canada in 1996 but was excluded from the squad amid reports of indiscipline. He was, at that time, the most talked about talent in Pakistani cricket circles. Hailing from Morgah, Rawalpindi, he played his early cricket in the streets of Pindi and Asghar Mall College. He used to play with tapped ball for different teams in Rawalpindi where he was spotted by one of the coaches as a shining talent.
The beginning
He was picked by Rawalpindi ‘B’ team and started his first class career in 1994-95. In the same season he also represented Pakistan International airlines. His first match against Rawalpindi ‘A’ did not provide him any opportunity in batting or bowling as second and 3rd days were washed out. In his first match against Karachi Whites, he went wicket less. Karachi Blues captain Munir-ul-Haq was his first first-class victim. In his first season he took 17 wickets at 32.82 with best figures of 6 for 69 against Lahore City.
He came to limelight in the season of 1996-97 in real sense when representing ADBP and Rawalpindi he was the second highest wicket-taker with 69 wickets at 23.66. He was selected for Pakistan ‘A’ which toured England in 1997 where he took 25 wickets at 29.88. After being ignored by selectors for Sahara Cup, he finally wore the green Pakistani cap in November, 1997 when he played his first test against the touring West Indies at Rawalpindi. Ian Bishop was his first test wicket who was clean-bowled.
Recognition
The world recognised Shoaib Akhtar as an express fast bowler during the tour to South Africa. At Kingsmead Durban in the second test, Shoaib destroyed South African batting line-up by taking 5 for 43. His 4 victims were bowled including Jacques Kallis and one was LBW. The delivery that bowled Kallis was a thunder bolt which left the batsman shell-shocked.
Rise
The highlight of his career arrived in India in Asian Test Championship. Eden Gardens, Calcutta saw Rawalpindi Express in full steam. He silenced a capacity crowd by taking wickets of Rahul Dravid ‘the Wall’ and little master Sachin Tendulkar on two consecutive deliveries. These are arguably the two best ever back to back deliveries in test cricket history. After clean-bowling Rahul Dravid with a perfect in-swinging yorker, he removed Sachin Tendulkar first ball with another toe-crusher. His 8 wickets in the match paved the way for Pakistan’s victory.
Shoaib went into the 1999 World Cup with huge reputation and expectation. He delivered some breathtaking spells during the tournament apart from an erratic over against South Africa in which Lance Klusener took 17 runs on the way to an important victory for South Africa. He destroyed New Zealand in the semi-final but did not have enough runs in the final to do any thing substantial for his team.
Called for throwing
He was signed by Nottinghamshire in 2000 but injuries did not allow him to represent his team. He also missed England’s Pakistan tour. Earlier during the tour Down Under, he was called for throwing by umpires Peter Willey and Darrell Hair and the match referee John Reid. He was later cleared by the ICC.
He was again called in New Zealand in 2001 but University of Western Australia cleared his action on the basis of "unique physical characteristics” as he had hyper-extended elbow joints. He broke the speed barrier of 100mph for the first time in the third ODI between Pakistan and New Zealand at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, when he clocked 161kph.
Best Period
In May, 2002 he destroyed New Zealand with one of the fiercest spells of fast bowling. He took 6 for 11 in New Zealand’s capitulation for 73 after Pakistan had piled on the runs riding on Inzamam’s triple hundred in Lahore. Five of his victims were bowled. He took 6 wickets in an ODI too. Stephen Fleming was bowled with a delivery that cannoned into his stumps before the batsmen hardly brought his bat down. It was a lightening fast yorker bowled from around the wicket.
He almost won a test match at Colombo for Pakistan when he destroyed the cream of Australian batting with a stunning spell in the second innings. His all 5 wickets were taken without the help of any fielder. That spell was certainly Shoaib’s best and is comparable to the best of the best.
Ball-Tampering charges
He was among controversies again when allegations of ball-tampering were made against him in Zimbabwe in late 2002 but another injury sidelined him soon after. The year 2003 was again a mixed one for him as he had a spat with his captain Waqar Younis over his performance in the world Cup in 2003. He was dropped from the team for a while but on his return to the national side he was handed a ban for ball-tampering in a triangular series in Sri Lanka.
Indiscipline and Injuries
After controversially missing the first test due to injury, he helped Pakistan win against New Zealand at Wellington by taking 11 wickets in the match in December 2003. He was injured again before the ODI series. Later he disappointed his captain Inzamam in test series loss to India at home in 2004 so much so that he was accused by him of feigning injury but was later cleared on enquiry. At this point in time his career was limping and his future was uncertain once again. But on the tour to Australia he bowled a few magical spells although he failed to win Pakistan a test.
In the year 2005, the world saw another dimension of Shoaib when after a long injury lay-off, he destroyed England at home by taking 17 wickets in 2-0 test series win. This time he used his slower ones more effectively than his customary yorkers to bamboozle the batsmen. Next year was a difficult one for him as he missed most of the matches with a career-threatening knee injury.
Doping saga
Another low came in the Champions trophy in South Africa in 2006, when after being tested positive for Nandrolone along with Muhammad Asif, he was sent back and banned by the PCB only to be exonerated 3 months later. He was subsequently withdrawn from Pakistan’s world cup squad in 2007 amid speculations that he could again be caught in the dope tests. In the same years he was fined for breaching the PCB’s code of conduct and was later put on a six-week probationary period.
5-year Ban
He did not seem to learn any lesson as he was involved in a dressing-room fight with Asif and was sent home from World T-20 in South Africa in 2007. He was handed a harsh 13-match ban apart from heavy monetary fine and was also placed on two-year probationary and monitoring period. In 2008 his career looked like ending for good when he was suspended for 5-years by the PCB on breaching the code of conduct when he openly criticized Board’s decision to demote him in the new central contracts. Quite astonishingly the Appellate Tribunal decided to suspend his five-year ban for one month on his appeal. He was consequentially allowed to represent Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL in 2008.
At loggerheads with PCB again
The change in PCB administration in late 2008 brought a change in Shoaib’s fortune as well when he was given the top category in he central contracts announced in 2009. But the patch up was short-lived. He suffered public ignominy when PCB publicly revealed that he was withdrawn from Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad because he suffered from genital warts. He was out of action any how after he under-went knee surgery in 2009.
After being overlooked for World T20 to be held in the Caribbean in 2010, he made a remarkable come-back in June 2010 for the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka. After mixed performances in ODI (as he refrained from test cricket) he was selected for the World Cup 2011, his last assignment.
Bidding Adieu
As we all know by now, Shoaib had made up his mind to call it quits after the world cup but for many the timing of his announcement was not right. He announced his retirement in the middle of the tournament when he could have waited for the assignment to finish. During the tournament his performance was a mixed one. We saw every bit of Shoaib in this tournament. He was at his best when he clean-bowled Mahela Jayawardene off a beauty. Then we saw him being clobbered all over by Ross Taylor in what proved to be his last match for Pakistan.
While announcing his retirement, Shoaib said: "Mentally, I wanted to continue, perhaps forever. But I must make way for the youngsters." "I am here only because of the love and affection of my fans. I want to thank them from the bottom of the heart," he added. Citing his reasons for the timing he said: "When I was going through my knee surgery for the fourth time, I made the decision to play in this World Cup for the Pakistan team and retire. Secondly, when the news broke that two of the Pakistani players are involved in such matters (Mohammed Asif and Mohammed Amir who were involved in spot-fixing and were banned from the game) I thought I should be able to concentrate and get back and help Pakistan.”
"Playing for my country was just a dream," he said. "I thought it would never come true. The first day when it was announced that I will play for Pakistan I did not believe that. There were Wasim (Akram) Waqar (Younis, the team's current coach) Imran (Khan) and Inzamam. There was a huge star on my shirt, and I wore that kit and slept in that kit. I did not take it out for three days."
When asked about his magic moments he said: "I have countless memories, but bowling with Waqar and Wasim, and bowling Sachin for a first ball duck and Dravid were the best moments. It was a dream.” Among players, he singled out Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting and Brian Lara for admiration.
After representing Pakistan for 14 years, he ended up playing only 46 test matches in which he took 178 wickets at 25.69. It was a massive underachievement and a sad one too. He deserved 400 wickets at least but became a victim of injuries, indiscipline and care-free attitude. It was a great loss for Pakistan because he could have halted Pakistan’s downward slide in the international rankings had he played on a consistent basis. In ODIs he was more involved taking 247 scalps in 163 matches at just under 25.
A happy Send-off?
Shoaib Akhtar will be missed by Pakistan as they do not have a genuine fast bowler at present and there is no one on the horizon either. Sadly he could not play his last game for Pakistan but we can still give him a fitting farewell.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has a responsibility to acknowledge his services. He has played for Pakistan and brought laurels for the nation. His contract which was to end in June has been terminated by PCB on hearing his announcement as if they were waiting for it. This is not a good gesture at all. PCB should arrange a grand farewell function for the legend so that he could bid adieu in a graceful manner makinf fans feel proud of their hero. Giving him a farewell match will not be a bad idea, in fact it would erase the bitter memories of past when our heroes were humiliated and many bade farewell in tears. It will also set a happy precedent for the future and send a positive signal to our young stars.
It is time to respect our heroes and give them honor and credit which they deserve. Will PCB break the tradition and do something positive. Although there is little hope but one can always wish and pray
