Re: Shoaib Akhter - Dilema ends,,,,
Waqar not in favour of picking overweight Shoaib
By our correspondent
KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis on Friday advised the national selectors not to pick fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar for the coming West Indies tour warning it could damage the fiery paceman’s career.
"Look he’s not 100 per cent fit’ he has clearly put on weight and if he plays at the international level in this condition he is risking chances of damaging his hamstring or groin as his legs would have to carry all the weight while bowling," Waqar, himself a world-class fast bowler, said.
He made it clear he was not concerned with the issue of Shoaib’s attitude or the problems he had with the team management. "I’m basically talking about his fitness; my advice is that he should skip the West Indies tour, train hard, shed a few pounds, go and play county cricket and then come back to Pakistan cricket," he added.
"There is no doubt he is a match winner for Pakistan but unless he pays attention to his fitness he’ll always face problems which is not good for him or the team," Waqar noted.
The national selectors are due to meet on Monday to pick the team for the West Indies tour on which they play three one-dayers besides two Tests.
Waqar also appreciated the decision of the PCB to extend Inzamam-ul-Haq’s captaincy tenure for one year.
"It’s a wise decision because I’m happy with the way he (Inzamam) has matured as a captain and it’s clear the boys are supporting him in every manner. By appointing him for one year the PCB has given Inzamam more chance to learn the art of captaincy and this means Pakistan will benefit in the next World Cup," the former fast-bowling sensation expressed.
He was all praise for the performance of the team in India stating they had done wonderfully well in tough conditions.