LAHORE: Express pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar said on Thursday he hoped to play a leading role on Pakistan team’s tour of the West Indies next month after missing the current series against India due to injury.
“I’ll regret missing the series against India for the rest of my career,” Shoaib, who pulled out of the India tour at the last minute due to a hamstring problem, told AFP.
“But I’m fully fit now and raring to go for the West Indies tour. I want to play a leading role,” said Shoaib who has played four domestic matches in the last three weeks to prove his fitness.
Shoaib’s hamstring injury took more time to heal than expected, depriving him of a possible return in the one-day series in India.
“I would’ve loved to play the one-day series but still had some ground to cover so I did not hasten my return, as advised by Imran Khan and chief selector Wasim Bari,” Shoaib said. “People in India love me so I’ve missed the series of a lifetime.”
yeah he'll play a major role in demoralizing the team. this guy is nothing but headache and pain in the arse. his attitude is the badest and profasionalism nil. i can only pray the current team. they are a good bunch of guys. shoaib team se dur hi rahay to acha hai.
lol, Rawalpindi Express has been derailed by Sheikhupura Express. I sympathise with Shoaib Akhtar though. He must've been scared to death that his career was in jeopardy now that the Pakistan team has shown it can do well without him. I suspect this will humble his mighty ego and his attitude will change for the better, and he'll come back with all guns blazing in the WI tour.
Last year in England, he had a big problem with Woolmer wanting him to come on as a first change bowler, with Rana opening the bowling instead of him. Now that Rana is fast gaining respect worldwide, Shoaib probably won't have a problem with him.
6 months back he would've been an automatic selection into almost any tour once found 30-50% fit but can't say that anymore (for now atleast... with current PCB mgmt). He still may be asked to prove his match-fitness again, this is all good to inject some sense into him that he is not THE strike bowler anymore.... lots of others are waiting to occupy that place! It'll be interesting to see what happens in next 20 days.
With Inzi has a Test Draw & ODI win under his belt, Shoiab has to proove much to him to make a come back. Inzi is more strong captain now then ever and he will be listend too.
if he actually comes to his senses now!, we'll become a threat to the ausies with rana and shabbir. back to the good old days of being the an awesome bowling attack
p.s needs to shorten his runup which i think will happen :)
One of the main things that I am worried for Shoaib is the lack of professional behavior that he possess, in a great detail. He can deliver the fastest ball in the world, but doesn't have the decency enough to speak to opposing team members in a friendly manner. Injury or not, he needs to redefine his personality, and make it more appealing before he can make a comeback.
Edit: I think this will lead to a good discussion for about a month or two. Can a mod sticky this, with some other information related to the WI tour?
'leading role'? He still has a bamboo shoved up his rear end. He needs to humble down. He could have said, 'I am really looking forward to earn my place back in the team and hoping to get a chance to prove it in the upcoming tour to West Indies'. laikin nahee jee, I am still a superstar.
I think Shoaib Akhtar's not touring India is the BEST thing that happened both to Pakistan and Shoaib himself. He got a reality check.
Agreed. His inclusion in test team as per fitness is necessary but we can put up a fight even without him. He should realize that and try to be a little more supportive and appreciative of his teammates.
armughal, we don't want to invest in Akter for 10 overs a day. he is not worth it. We want somebody who is motivated to play for the country and is willing to give every drop of sweat.
