Shoaib's value to the team

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In the Wasim Akram thread many posters made it a point to dicuss Wasim’s “overall” influence on Pak cricket. Many said that while he was a magnificent player, he caused a lot of damage to the team setup by his off-field antics. Some posters went on to say that Wasim’s achievements did overshadow some of his actions and overall he is still a great.

My question is what is Shoaib’s overall effect on Pak cricket. I personally feel that Akhtar should not be playing in Pakistan colours. If he wants to be an entertainer, there are many other lines of work where he can do well. He need not play cricket. What does the odd five wicket burst followed by the sitting out of 10 matches (because of being “unfit”) mean? Is anyone going to remember those very few moments of brilliance?

This is not the worst aspect of him being a Pakistani player. In the last couple of tournaments, he has gotten into fights with Younis and Saqi. Younis is an excellent team man and would never do anything to hurt the team spirit. In fact I remember, when he was made vice captain against the Aussies rcently, he refused the post citing the presence of more senior players. Saqi for all his faults is still a favourite among his teammates. So, Shoaib has recently had problems with two of the most likable persons in the Pak team.

His problems with Waqar are not trivial either. While I do not rate Waqar highly as a captain, if he is teh captain he deserves the respect of his players. Shoaib has pulled out of many a crunch matches citing fitness trouble only to show up on the dance floor of the local night club the same night.

But the worst effect of his sporadic appearances is that other bowlers do not get enough opportunity to adjust to this level. Waqar and Wasim will not be here for long but as long as they are here they will not be displaced from the side. This means that there will only one more fast bowler in the team. And if Akhtar will slide in and out whenever he feels like it, he’s ruining the career of Sami. Sami has been treated extremely unfairly because of Shoaib’s antics.

Even if Shoaib wins the WC for us which seems quite unlikely based on the article below, I still think that for the greater good of Pakistan cricket Shoaib must be dropped for good.

*Preferential attitude upsets players *

JOHANNESBURG, Feb 14: **All is not well with the Pakistan cricket team here and the body language of several players tells the story that they are not happy with the special treatment being accorded to the controversial and incorrigible fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.

Although no one has come out and complained openly due to fear of fine and possible ban, it is no secret that majority of Shoaib’s colleagues are displeased with the manner in which the pace bowler is being pampered by the tour management.

Amongst the complaints are that another doctor has been specially flown here on Shoaib’s demand, although a doctor and physiotherapist are already attached with the party.

Besides there are a different set of rules for Shoaib, and another for the rest of the team members.

Curfew is not applicable to the pacer, who one day gets injured and is fit the very next day. He is also allowed time off without any rhyme or reason and the tour management committee looks the other way about his extra-curricular activities. **

Also there has been lot of resentment about Waqar Younis’ handling and decisions taken by the team management during the Australian match. Opting to field is one which rankles everyone the most.

The decision to omit Saqlain Mushtaq is yet another decision which defies logic. Waqar’s field placing and bowling changes have also not gone down well with his teammates.

The players also appear to be disenchanted with the number of officials tagging along with the team as one put it “there are too many generals but few soldiers”.

URL: http://www.dawn.com/2003/02/15/spt5.htm

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without shoaib akhtar, i dont think pakistan has any chances of winning the world cup....

i dont think any team would leave out a bowler who has an average of 21 and a strike rate of 28 (the best in the world) and can bowl at 100 miles an hour....

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I disagree. Pakistan has players like Wasim, Waqar, Saqlain and Azhar. Shoib is usefull, but he is not the only one.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by armughal: *
without shoaib akhtar, i dont think pakistan has any chances of winning the world cup....
[/QUOTE]

Not true, IMO. Wasim and Youhana are infinitely more important than Shoaib.

[QUOTE]
bowl at 100 miles an hour....
[/QUOTE]

So, we need to put up with his antics just because he bowls at 100 mph. instead we should not be playing a much better team man who bowls at 90 versus a 100. The purpose of bowling is to get wickets not bowl at the highest possible speed. Speed should only be a tool to get wickets and nothing more.

Wasim and Waqar were lightning fast and much more destructive than Akhtar will ever be and they didn't struggle to complete test matches much less ODI's like Akhtar does. Also, all international athletes realize that they much condition their bodies to the requirements of their game. If you're fast, you better be able to stand the side effects of being a pacer. If you can't, perhaps you should quit.

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I agree, he is no exception, he should be treated similiar to the other 14 players. BUT I think he is majorly needed for the WC, after the WC Pakistan management should teach him a lesson by not playing him in international cricket and try for a rebuilding process. Muhammad Sami is a very good fast bowler but the problem is he gets to play every other 5 or 6 matches, if he can play on consistent bases with the team, he can become a very good fast bowler, he has the pace and the ability to swing the bowl which is make of a very good bowler.

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I dont know why people always say Shoaib is so good cause he bowls at 100mph.... HE DOES NOT... of all the recorded balls he has bowled one delivery that was 100mph otherwise he balls a little slower the 100mph. I dont know anything about his attitude in the WC so far, but he was excellent in the first match. I think if PCB and the tour management put their foot down they can change his attitude. He has the ability to turn matches in a couple of overs. If those Bangalis folded so easliy agaisnt Vaas.... I hope Shoaib and Wasim will prove much more lethal agaisnt Namibia.

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Well said :k:

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I absolutely disagree with this one sambrialian. I've already said that Shoaib shouldn't be considered after the WC unless he sorts himself out, but we won't win it without him and it's too inportant for us to shoot ourselves in the foot. From what I've seen the spirit in the camp is high and I think this is just rumour-mongering. Sami's a good prospect but when Shoaib catches fire he goes through everyone, even the Aussies. We aren't playing this WC to make life easier for the opposition by dropping our strike bowler. We're playing it to win and Shoaib should be told to charge in and knock their ****ing blocks off.

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[QUOTE]
Originally posted by Mr Xtreme: *
I absolutely disagree with this one sambrialian. I've already said that Shoaib shouldn't be considered after the WC unless he sorts himself out, but we won't win it without him and it's too inportant for us to shoot ourselves in the foot. From what I've seen the spirit in the camp is high and I think this is just rumour-mongering. Sami's a good prospect but when Shoaib catches fire he goes through everyone, even the Aussies. We aren't playing this WC to make life easier for the opposition by dropping our strike bowler. We're playing it to win and Shoaib should be told to charge in and knock their ***ing blocks off.
[/QUOTE]

I agree Xtreme these are negative reports and coming from the newspaper about which many players have complained that it spreads negative reports. This statement was on the record on ptv progra, said by Gen Zia. And the spirit in the team is high no doubt with unbiased reporters like a bbc one commented " unlike the past pakistani teams' the team is in a jovial mood and everyone is going along well, even After teh defeat' And already PCB has openly formed a committe comprising of five senior players to make decisions and most decisions are made ny these five, Not waqar alone.

Regarding Shoaib, the doctor who was flown specoally for him reportedly has been flown back immediately, and I agree he is an assett albeit an unpredictable one. So what, whole pakistani team is unpredictable.

I wish i could spank those negative journalists, They can make merry when God Forbid thosand times we lose the worldcup. Our best chance is the unity in the team and this reporter is out ot destroy that just because he doenst have any friends with PCB.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Mr Xtreme: *
I absolutely disagree with this one sambrialian. I've already said that Shoaib shouldn't be considered after the WC unless he sorts himself out,
[/QUOTE]

That's what I want. I realize that he will not be dropped during the Cup. Though I will say that Pakistan has tonnes of fine matchwinners. Pak might lose Akhtar to injury if not disciplinary action soon anyways and it won't be the end of the world. I have a lot of faith in Sami mostly because he seems like he has got a balanced head.

And please, manager sahib it might be ok for seasoned pros like Rashid, the captain and Inzi to give statements but Akhtar's kisser should be taped before he's brought to any press conference. His mouthing off is embarassing at best.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by sambrialian: *

And please, manager sahib it might be ok for seasoned pros like Rashid, the captain and Inzi to give statements but Akhtar's kisser should be taped before he's brought to any press conference. His mouthing off is embarassing at best.
[/QUOTE]

That's just the way he is. He gets away with it because he's capable of backing up those words - if somewhat inconsistently. I read an interview with Brett Lee a couple of days ago that he hadn't touched a drop of alcohol for 12 months. Why? Because he'd noticed that those people who drunk a significant amount of alcohol had a 15% higher chance of sustaining injury. Shame our Shoaib is heading for self-destruction while his biggest rival has seen sense. Still if he can get his head right for a month he will win big matches for us - and after the WC he can go piss his life away.

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The Game Responds:

        *It's all about firepower, . Shoaib contributes a whole lot to our striking strength. Only Australia and Pakistan have genuine firepower in their bowling attack; and I'm not talking about Vaas-esque firepower which consists of being a "bachon ka hero" and nothing else. People, That Is All.*
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how come u ppl read only the 100 mph thing and forget to read that he has the best average and the best strike rate in the world....

an average of 21 and a S/R of 28 is by no means an easy thing to achieve....

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Thats what is wrong with people, they will always see his wrong doings and not the stuff he does well, like the only bowler in the world who is known for ripping the Australian batting apart on more than one occaision.
Please tell if there is any fast bowler who has destroyed the best batting lineup like Shoaib has done for the past year.
Makhaya Ntini, Shane Bond, Hayward, they are all talented but not as good as Shoaib,

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Today:

8 overs, 4 wickets, nearly every delivery registering 90mph +, including the fastest ball of the tournament so far.

I rest my case yer honour.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Mr Xtreme: *
Today:

8 overs, 4 wickets, nearly every delivery registering 90mph +, including the fastest ball of the tournament so far.

I rest my case yer honour.
[/QUOTE]

True but he was quite hammered by the Namibian tailender at the end, a bowler of his caliber should have cleaned the whole team under 50 runs.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by UMAIR316: *

True but he was quite hammered by the Namibian tailender at the end, a bowler of his caliber should have cleaned the whole team under 50 runs.
[/QUOTE]

He was exhausted too... He is not accustomed to bowl 8-9 overs on a trot and he was barely completing the overs thats why his accuracy suffered at the end.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by saby: *
He was exhausted too... He is not accustomed to bowl 8-9 overs on a trot and he was barely completing the overs thats why his accuracy suffered at the end.
[/QUOTE]

Saby yaar, are you telling me that a bowler who has been playing International cricket for more than 5 years now cant bowl 8-9 overs on a trot ??

Didn't you guys blame Waqar for removing Akhtar from the attack when they were down 4/5 wickets ??

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Asif_k: *

Saby yaar, are you telling me that a bowler who has been playing International cricket for more than 5 years now cant bowl 8-9 overs on a trot ??

Didn't you guys blame Waqar for removing Akhtar from the attack when they were down 4/5 wickets ??
[/QUOTE]

He's getting back to match fitness according to Waqar after being out with a knee injury for a few weeks. He was bowling very fast today the whole 8 overs.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Asif_k: *

Saby yaar, are you telling me that a bowler who has been playing International cricket for more than 5 years now cant bowl 8-9 overs on a trot ??

Didn't you guys blame Waqar for removing Akhtar from the attack when they were down 4/5 wickets ??
[/QUOTE]

Shoaib wasnt even bowling when Australia was 4-5 down, he was just brought about too late. SO he was fresh and critcism was that Shoaib shuold have been brouhg in place of Akram anyways whats done is done. I wihs Shoaib conitnues his good form

And Xtreme yeah Shoaib was bowling quckly throughout his 8-over spell but his accuracy was affected and he was visbly drained out. Initially he was bowling Dead straight but later on he went on to bowl wide and yorlers werent spot on , exacept for once ofcourse which was a no-ball incidentally.