The Shaoib Akhtar Factor

[Naveed]

The Shoaib Akhtar factor

BY ZAKIR HUSSAIN SYED
Pakistan's first victory against Australia during the current tour has provided some breathing space to the greatly harassed Inzamamul Haq and Bob Woolmer. They have been under tremendous pressure after Pakistan team's dismal performance Down Under. Perhaps, the most refreshing aspect of this victory was the disciplined bowling by the pair of young fast bowlers - Rao and Khalil - in the absence of Shoaib and Sami. Admittedly, they are young and raw but they seem to have the potential to develop into good fast medium bowlers. The PCB should hire the services of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis to help them during the break between the Australian tour and the Indian tour.
However, the big question now is what to do with Mr. Shoaib Akhtar, world's fastest bowler and dubbed by many as a match winner. Does he have that capacity? Facts do not support this premise.
Shoaib Akhtar is incapable of sustained match winning spells, is injury prone, has questionable behavior and commitment to the team effort and takes fielding as a routine and not as a basic requirement. How can a team afford to have a player like that in the squad with suspect physical ability and discipline! Instead, it would be much better to have a fast bowler who gives his very best to prove himself. Secondly, with his present track record, can Shoaib be counted upon to be still around for the next World Cup? Many analysts of the game don't think so. As if all these factors were not adequate drawbacks, some persons who are certainly not his well-wishers have put it into his head that he is a prospective Pakistan captain. They support their theory by stating that captaincy will put additional responsibility and thus bring out the best in him. That is sheer nonsense. Responsibility is maturity. Has he proved so far that he is mature and responsible! Unfortunately, Shoaib Akhtar has not learnt any lesson.
In contrast, let us take the case of Brett Lee of Australia who is as fast as Shoaib Akhtar if not faster. Because of sheer speed alone, he should have been an automatic choice for Australia.
He is not because he has fitness problems. In fact he is not even considered a regular option for Test matches. And look at his fielding. Can Shoaib even dream of taking a catch which Lee took against Pakistan to dismiss Shahid Afridi?
Glen McGrath is six years older than Shoaib and yet he bowled 10 overs on the trot because it was in the best interest of Australian team. He regularly bowls long spells in Test matches for Australia. That is why he is a match winner and world's leading fast bowler. Can we expect such dedication from Mr. Shoaib Akhtar?
Shoaib should thank Jagmohan Dalmiya, former President ICC, Gen Tauqir Zia and Mr. Ehsan Mani that he is still playing cricket because these three gentlemen, especially Mr.Dalmiya took a very firm stand in the face of very stiff opposition when Shoaib's suspect action was first reported and came up for formal discussion before the ICC because had the ICC been headed by somebody else than Mr. Dalmiya, Shoaib would have been definitely thrown into wilderness. He should thank his lucky stars that he is still playing cricket.
He is obviously desperate to go to India because of commercial financial possibilities and the fact that India could be a happy hunting ground for his favourite off the field activities.
PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan has already promised a "hard talk" with him. It is also the first challenge for the new PCB Director Operations Salim Altaf because, ultimately the interest of Pakistan cricket team is involved. I still feel that Shoaib Akhtar should still be selected for the Indian tour but only with the firm commitment that indiscipline and injury would result in speedy dispatch back home. Let him for a change prove his total commitment to the team and his class as a cricketer that he is supposed to be.

KICK the womanly thing...***** OUT!