Shoaib Akhtar has defended himself from critical comments cast by Imran Khan after Pakistan’s 1-0 Test series defeat to India.
Imran, former Pakistan captain, told an Indian news channel that the result could easily have been 3-0 if their spearhead had applied himself. But Shoaib felt the absence of Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul, out with elbow and back injuries respectively, seriously hampered their chances.
“Imran Khan, who is a man and former player I admire and respect greatly, singled me out in his television analysis and said I should be disappointed with myself,” he said on Bigstarcricket.com.
“I realise he was being kind in saying I am a match-winner, but I can’t win Test matches on my own.”
It was bad experience again to play a bowler who was injured/not-fully-fit. It was Shoaib's mistake to make himself available for the series as "fit" while it was stupid of PCB/captain to select him in the games knowing his 40% fitness.
Akhtar is no mug not to know what people think about his general attitude. Imran is just pointing out the obvious here but in a diplomatic way. Akhtar claimed to be working hard on his fitness before this series but he broke down in all three tests seriously hampering our chances in the series.
He shouldnt even be in the team, I mean he aint balling that quick these days anyways. PCB can get real desparate sometimes, perhaps its about time we need to create another unorthodox balling duo - like the inswinger kings in the early nineties by giving some youngsters a chance. At the current rate, we be lucky to be ahead of Bangalis by the nnext world cup.
When was the last time he played a full seris without breaking down in the middle?
That can be 2nd question, first question should be "when was the last time he played a FULL MATCH (or full inning?) without breaking down in the middle?
In Shoaib's defense 2005 England Test series was the one where he was at full flow. It was one of his best performance, destroying the Brits who won the Ashes. Since than not so much.
Pray tell what did your heroes Sami and Kaneria do in the series? Please, I'm begging you geniuses here. He was the best Pakistani bowler on show, and that's why he is still in the test side and you guys are sitting on your armchairs criticizing him. Simple baat hai.
Pray tell what did your heroes Sami and Kaneria do in the series? Please, I'm begging you geniuses here. He was the best Pakistani bowler on show, and that's why he is still in the test side and you guys are sitting on your armchairs criticizing him. Simple baat hai.
Its not about "performance" as bowler, rather his fitness. He is great bowler, but if he can't play a full series then he should play one test, sit out next then play next... but if he can't play a full match then that would be a problem.
Kaneria's performance is being evaluated in separate thread and Sami is already a known dead-donkey so lets not mix Shoaib with Sami :D
i would rather have a 50% fit aktar then a fully fit sami, roa, kaneria etc.
he was by far the best bowler in the whole series. without him india would have gotten 1000 in every innnings.
imran is a fool, tareek-e-bakwaas has gotten to his head.
