Re: RIP: Shoaib Akhtar (1997-2007)
^^
Assuming PCB retain their policy of playing without Akhtar and his career is finished, Akhtar ended his career when he was still at his best.
Comparing players is never a good idea as every player has his own positives and negatives. But Akhtar was a match winner during his career. Akhtar-less Pakistan has always struggled against competitive and better teams despite the availability of strong bowling attack (i.e. Waqar and Wasim)
Pak only won 3 Tests against SA.
1.) Pakistan won 1st Test against South Africa, at Durban, 26 Feb - 2 Mar (1997-98)
At the start of his career, for Pakistan, Akhtar (12 1 43 5) helped Pakistan win their first test against SA.
http://www.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1997-98/PAK_IN_RSA/PAK_RSA_T2_26FEB-02MAR1998.html
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**2.) Pak win 1st Test series against SA (2003-04 SA in Pak) **
Akhtar (14.3 2 36 4) won another Test for Pak playing against SA. Pak won their only test series against SA.
http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/2003-04/RSA_IN_PAK/SCORECARDS/RSA_PAK_T1_17-21OCT2003.html
3.) Akhtar came back to international cricket after an year-long injuries and won another Test against SA. (2006-07 Pak in SA)
No player in cricket could ever had faced more pressure (regarding performance) than Akhtar but he still delivered his best (11 2 36 4 3.27) and won another test for his country.
http://content-pak.cricinfo.com/rsavpak/engine/match/250666.html
In fact Pakistan could have won the series if PCB officials and team management could have resolved their issues that chased Akhtar throughout his career.
Summary:
Akhtar is (yet) another player wasted by bad management.
Summarizing his performance (in innings) that set the tests for Pakistan playing against SA:
1997-98: 12 1 43 5
2003-04: 14.3 2 36 4
2006-07: 11 2 36 4
From 1997 to 2007 his performance was much more consistent than any other player. Akhtar entered and won the first test against SA and (despite injuries, clashes and mysteries), he delivered his best and won the last test against SA in his final appearance to date.