Why has Shoaib Akhter been so expensive of late?

[chui_kadoo]

I am a big fan of Shoab Akhter but have been very dissapointed by his recent performances. He has been extremely expensive of late and not been very penetrive. I expected him to do much better in NZ conditions.

Here are his recent performances.

7 overs for 77 and 1 wicket v South Africa ODI

4 overs for 38 and 3 wickets v NZ T20

4 overs 42 and 1 wickets v NZ T20

4 overs for 47 and 0 wickets V NZ ODI

He has been taking some serious tap.
Going over 10 runs per over continously is just mind boggling.
Seems the like the wheels are falling off.
He seriously needs to sort out his bowling rythem before the world cup.
I think Waqar should spend more time with him.

[kkmix]

He needs to cut down on pace and look to ball just outside the off stump. His problem is, he is trying to ball to fast, and in the process, just spraying all over the place, and getting the punishment. He should save his faster delivery to surprise the batsman every now and then.

[Schickelgruber]

I'm a huge fan too and he needs to sort out his priorities.

[FastBowler]

Look at Shoaib's pace, it hasn't changed much, its only dropped a little bit. Look at the bowling itself, he isn't getting the dip he did which was a characteristic of his bowling and he isn't swinging it much. His grip and wrist position have changed, this ensures greater pace but he loses those attributes besides pace that make him such a deadly bowler. Its because of that that some effectiveness is lost when bowling.

[Faisalabadimunda]

ttHe needs to cut down on pace and look to ball just outside the off stump. His problem is, he is trying to ball to fast, and in the process, just spraying all over the place, and getting the punishment. He should save his faster delivery to surprise the batsman every now and then.

i fully agree with you there

[Qelic]

recently What i have noticed abt him is that .... he is over attacking . I crave to see a slog delivery from him . Its like he goes for boundary and next bowl is he is gonna attack with a 90 + mph bouncer .

Probably that is because of the only strike status for him in current pakistani side . With new ball he usually finds himself being the only attack or threat . Its quite possible that he has been asked by waqar + afridi to just attack while rest of the trundler gang can contain or atleast try to do so .

Also his approach is not correct these days ... will write on it .

[chui_kadoo]

He needs to cut down on pace and look to ball just outside the off stump. His problem is, he is trying to ball to fast, and in the process, just spraying all over the place, and getting the punishment. He should save his faster delivery to surprise the batsman every now and then.
Surely Waqar must have noticed this. I am surpised they havent rectified this in the nets.

[KingKhanWC]

Well T20 figures aren't too bad since he picked up 4 wickets in those two games.

He did have a bad day V South Afrcia but you can't blame him for yesterday, the batsmen had nothing to lose. He was running in and bowling 90mph for nothing since the game was already over.

[Qelic]

if someone really threatening can take the other end sharing new ball with him then I guess shoaib can retreat to less attacking policy . I truly wish amir gets back.

[chui_kadoo]

Well T20 figures aren't too bad since he picked up 4 wickets in those two games.

He did have a bad day V South Afrcia but you can't blame him for yesterday, the batsmen had nothing to lose. He was running in and bowling 90mph for nothing since the game was already over.
I know but he still went for 10 runs per over in both those games as well which is a cause for concern. He needs to work hard with Waqar in the next few days.
World cup is only weeks away.

[pakistanbest]

He will bounce back, just needs some good bowlers around him, it was only recent when him and Gul were tearing England apart

[Wasim_Waqar]

He is class. Simple. Key man

[Qelic]

I know but he still went for 10 runs per over in both those games as well which is a cause for concern. He needs to work hard with Waqar in the next few days.
World cup is only weeks away.

this will continue unless he gets a decent attacker to share new ball with . Make shift attackers like razzaq , sohail tanvir wont do any damage and pressure will be on shoaib who thinks of himself as wolverine .

[chui_kadoo]

this will continue unless he gets a decent attacker to share new ball with . Make shift attackers like razzaq , sohail tanvir wont do any damage and pressure will be on shoaib who thinks of himself as wolverine .
I guess Umar gul should open with Akhter.

[osee_bhai]

Well...I've always thought he has been quite overrated since he made his comeback in the limited over sides. I sometimes feel he's at Afridi status in terms of being loved by everyone even though he's not that good anymore, but obviously he isn't that bad.
He's been pretty expensive throughout, I don't think any of the other bowlers are containing while he's attacking, that's quite a load of bs in my opinion. Yesterday's match was tough for him though, and the situation allowed for Ryder and co to attack without doubt and the pitch had flattened out, I'm still expecting better performances from him in this series.

Going into the world cup it's interesting to see if Pak will play two or three proper seamers in the XI. Like we did yesterday, playing only two frontline seamers gave us an extra batsman (that really helped). Since Afridi and Rehman/Ajmal can be counted for 20 overs, this would mean hafeez/razzaq would have to bowl 10, which isn't that bad. The point is that if we have to choose two out of gul, akhtar, wahab, and tanvir, shoaib's place could be under threat. (Although I doubt they would be able to drop him)

[Qelic]

I guess Umar gul should open with Akhter.

gul with new ball means he cant be available in slog overs with old bowls for reversing which is his pattern weapon .

I think ... someone from the domestic circuit shud have been tried for new ball against england and S africa before world cup . Wahab riaz cant bowl with new ball . But pcb selection committee is a symbol of idioticity .

[iafzal]

Ferraries are never cheap

[Gollum]

He has lost speed which is the main reason he's giving so many runs. He's an absolute attack option, and from his line and length you can see that. If he is even 10km/h faster today, he'll convert a lot of those fours and sixes he leaks into edges, lbws, and catches in the deep.

[chui_kadoo]

gul with new ball means he cant be available in slog overs with old bowls for reversing which is his pattern weapon .

I think ... someone from the domestic circuit shud have been tried for new ball against england and S africa before world cup . Wahab riaz cant bowl with new ball . But pcb selection committee is a symbol of idioticity .
Who should be the pair opening the bowling at the world cup ?
We need to get the combination right. The new ball will be crucial

[Qelic]

Who should be the pair opening the bowling at the world cup ?
We need to get the combination right. The new ball will be crucial

in the selected squad ... best combination will be dependent upon conditions and circumstances .

Shoaib and sohail tanvir in night

Shoaib and razzaq on cracky surfaces

Shoaib and Wahab riaz while defending small totals on a bowling track

.... gul shud never open . This guy is not made for new ball .

[chui_kadoo]

in the selected squad ... best combination will be dependent upon conditions and circumstances .

Shoaib and sohail tanvir in night

Shoaib and razzaq on cracky surfaces

Shoaib and Wahab riaz while defending small totals on a bowling track

.... gul shud never open . This guy is not made for new ball .
Seems logical. I hope Afridi sees it that way too.
Tanvir does seem to get the ball moving under lights.

What are your thoughts on Rana Naved? I know quite a few posters on here wanted his inclusion instead of Sohail Tanvir

[CricketBuff]

He has lost speed which is the main reason he's giving so many runs. He's an absolute attack option, and from his line and length you can see that. If he is even 10km/h faster today, he'll convert a lot of those fours and sixes he leaks into edges, lbws, and catches in the deep.

He has put on too much weight. He cannot even run properly. Getting old is Shoaib and is playing on reputation alone.

[Sledger]

Look at the bowling itself, he isn't getting the dip he did which was a characteristic of his bowling and he isn't swinging it much. His grip and wrist position have changed, this ensures greater pace but he loses those attributes besides pace that make him such a deadly bowler. Its because of that that some effectiveness is lost when bowling.

Thanks Aaqib but who gave you this information? How can you tell the differences in his grips from watching him on TV?

[Gollum]

Seems logical. I hope Afridi sees it that way too.
Tanvir does seem to get the ball moving under lights.

What are your thoughts on Rana Naved? I know quite a few posters on here wanted his inclusion instead of Sohail Tanvir

Rana would have been a handful in swinging and seaming conditions of the first ODI, but that's where his usefulness ends I'm afraid. In the absence of swing and seam, Rana would be taken to the cleaners on today's subcontinental pitches.

[Qelic]

Seems logical. I hope Afridi sees it that way too.
Tanvir does seem to get the ball moving under lights.

What are your thoughts on Rana Naved? I know quite a few posters on here wanted his inclusion instead of Sohail Tanvir

offcourse rana but conditionally ... if he is in form .

I wonder why they have preferred tanvir over rao . PCB runs tastes for trundlers so why not rao or arafat over tanvir .

In my own opinion . aizaz cheema , junaid khan could have been tried in recent times for new ball partnership with shoiab .

[pakistanbest]

Our bowling is looking very poor, really need to back akhtar, Gul Wahab Ajmal and to some extent Afridi and Razzaq and hafeez, Tanvir is purely rubbish, don't knw what Afridi has seen in him!

[Impala_KaifTamasha]

The grounds for the T20s in NZ were tiny

[Theo_14]

I'm a huge fan too and he needs to sort out his priorities.

What exact priorities are you expecting from a 35 year old bowler?

I know there are some hardcore fans in the world who have high expectations from their favourite players but sometimes you have to accept that you cannot expect the things they use to produce consistency.

He showed glimpse of his good old quality during the T20's v New Zealand but I personally believe he had a tough game last night, he was the main bowler in the squad with bags of experience and there was too much expectations on Akhtar to produce something special considering he was the only lethal bowler in the line-up.

[pakistanbest]

Can someone post Akhtar's record since his comeback, he aint really performed to what he is expected to :(

[Gollum]

He has put on too much weight. He cannot even run properly. Getting old is Shoaib and is playing on reputation alone.

It's a shame really whatever the reasons, be it form, age or physical shape. It's a worrying sign when in NZ, in optimal weather conditions, not too hot or humid, he's bowling 140-145km/h half pitch volleys and poorly directed bouncers. On subcontinental pitches where the heat and humidity will take a lot out of you even before you bowl a single ball, it is hard to see him hitting this speed. I expect Shoaib to be slightly slower in Lanka which will make it even easier for the batsmen to attack him.

[pakistanbest]

in the WC, we will see a different Akhtar, maybe he is not trying as hard as he can as he maybe worried about injury

[chui_kadoo]

As requested Shoaib's ODI performances since his comeback

10.0 41 3 v Sri Lanka Dambulla 15 Jun 2010
10.0 57 0 v India Dambulla 19 Jun 2010
8.0 22 1 v Bangladesh Dambulla 21 Jun 2010
8.0 28 0 v England Chester-le-Street 10 Sep 2010
8.0 49 1 v England Leeds 12 Sep 2010
10.0 43 1 v England The Oval 17 Sep 2010
10.0 59 3 v England Lord's 20 Sep 2010
10.0 40 3 v England Southampton 22 Sep 2010
8.0 46 0 v South Africa Abu Dhabi 29 Oct 2010
10.0 57 1 v South Africa Abu Dhabi 31 Oct 2010
10.0 39 3 v South Africa Dubai 2 Nov 2010
9.0 51 2 v South Africa Dubai 5 Nov 2010
7.0 77 1 v South Africa Dubai 8 Nov 2010
4.0 47 0 v New Zealand Wellington 22 Jan 2011

[Gollum]

^ its not a poor return...Shoaib has been traditionally on the expensive side..but 2/50 or 3/50 is what you expect from him...a wicketless game from shoaib is usually a lost cause because of the amount of runs conceded

[Omar Malik]

Akhtar in the last few games has been quite poor....going for far too many runs and not getting too many wickets. He's not been bowling much yorkers either of late too actually none of bowlers seem to bowl them nowadays anyway!

Akhtar needs to put in some more effort as he's got 5 more games to find form ahead of the WC which would well be his last stint in Pak colours again.

[Sledger]

His last two ODIs have been shocking, he's really been below par and is struggling for some reason. Apart from that, those figures are decent, only 3 of 12 of those matches were returned wicketless. I'd rest (drop) him for either the next game or the game after if he performs badly and hopefully he'll realise that he needs step up.

[Omar Malik]

His last two ODIs have been shocking, he's really been below par and is struggling for some reason. Apart from that, those figures are decent, only 3 of 12 of those matches were returned wicketless. I'd rest (drop) him for either the next game or the game after if he performs badly and hopefully he'll realise that he needs step up.

That's actually what I was thinking too but didn't mention it as he needs to be sent out a clear signal to put up some good performances before the WC!

[salman24]

As requested Shoaib's ODI performances since his comeback

10.0 41 3 v Sri Lanka Dambulla 15 Jun 2010
10.0 57 0 v India Dambulla 19 Jun 2010
8.0 22 1 v Bangladesh Dambulla 21 Jun 2010
8.0 28 0 v England Chester-le-Street 10 Sep 2010
8.0 49 1 v England Leeds 12 Sep 2010
10.0 43 1 v England The Oval 17 Sep 2010
10.0 59 3 v England Lord's 20 Sep 2010
10.0 40 3 v England Southampton 22 Sep 2010
8.0 46 0 v South Africa Abu Dhabi 29 Oct 2010
10.0 57 1 v South Africa Abu Dhabi 31 Oct 2010
10.0 39 3 v South Africa Dubai 2 Nov 2010
9.0 51 2 v South Africa Dubai 5 Nov 2010
7.0 77 1 v South Africa Dubai 8 Nov 2010
4.0 47 0 v New Zealand Wellington 22 Jan 2011

Figures are pretty good IMHO. Only the last 2 matches were really bad. Probably still acclimatizing. Next match will be good iA.

[TigerJat]

but he does need to slow down a little, and only bowl the fast ball ocassionally.

yes, he can still bowl in the 90s, but it takes a lot more effort from him now, and that throws off his line and length

[alberto]

akhtar is going for wickets and does not bowl a consistent length.loved ryder's pulls though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rana]

To short these days! needs to bowl fuller

[optimusprime1122]

As requested Shoaib's ODI performances since his comeback

10.0 41 3 v Sri Lanka Dambulla 15 Jun 2010
10.0 57 0 v India Dambulla 19 Jun 2010
8.0 22 1 v Bangladesh Dambulla 21 Jun 2010
8.0 28 0 v England Chester-le-Street 10 Sep 2010
8.0 49 1 v England Leeds 12 Sep 2010
10.0 43 1 v England The Oval 17 Sep 2010
10.0 59 3 v England Lord's 20 Sep 2010
10.0 40 3 v England Southampton 22 Sep 2010
8.0 46 0 v South Africa Abu Dhabi 29 Oct 2010
10.0 57 1 v South Africa Abu Dhabi 31 Oct 2010
10.0 39 3 v South Africa Dubai 2 Nov 2010
9.0 51 2 v South Africa Dubai 5 Nov 2010
7.0 77 1 v South Africa Dubai 8 Nov 2010
4.0 47 0 v New Zealand Wellington 22 Jan 2011

656 runs given in 94 overs at the economy rate of 6.97 and got 19 wickets in last 14 matches i.e comeback.

[chui_kadoo]

656 runs given in 94 overs at the economy rate of 6.97 and got 19 wickets in last 14 matches i.e comeback.
The economy rate is very high there. He needs to get that economy rate down below 5 in my opinion. Needs to concentrate on his line and length and show more variety.

[PAF]

Don't worry guys. He'll come good and is our trump card for the World Cup. He just needs a good support at the other end and the captain also needs to back him.

He performs when there is pressure :akhtar

[chui_kadoo]

I think Shoaib Akhter needs to be able to bowl that slow bouncer that Brett lee bowls.
It will be so affective in the WC in the subcontinent.

[hur rizvi]

MArk my words guys ...


Shoaib will gain form in coming matches and will Insha-Allah destroy batting attacks in the WC

[hur rizvi]

Figures are pretty good IMHO. Only the last 2 matches were really bad. Probably still acclimatizing. Next match will be good iA.

+1


figures are decent apart from last two matches ...

I have firm beleive that shoaib will come good in coming matches and WC ...

[KSaeed]

Don't worry lads he's just saving it all for the WC (I hope)

[Kriketer]

b/c he has been very fat of late

[Khabri420]

MArk my words guys ...


Shoaib will gain form in coming matches and will Insha-Allah destroy bowling attacks in the WC

So I take it he will be in the team for his batting?

[hur rizvi]

So I take it he will be in the team for his batting?

hahaha ... Was just a little mistake

[WNC]

MArk my words guys ...


Shoaib will gain form in coming matches and will Insha-Allah destroy batting attacks in the WC

we need him to destroy batting line ups :facepalm

Edit, didnt see the edit :P

[hur rizvi]

we need him to destroy batting line ups :facepalm:

I think i corrected my mistake ...

[JibranAnsari]

His last few months and this happens when a cricketer is about to retire.

[cric]

I have said it 2 months ago. akther going to loose couple of game in world up, and that too space of just couple overs. we can just hope the games are not the knockout one.

i have predicted this 4 months ago where almost every body made akther certain in playing 11.

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Because all he had was pace and now it's getting less.

[Bilal.0]

He is trying to lay off the steriods.. World cup is coming and he will be tested for them soon. He has to get them out of his system.

[Tapori]

I think he has to look at Brett Lee and see how consistent Lee's line is.

Shoaib has never had a good ODI economy rate; The problem for him is that he isn't getting the wickets he once did to justify that poor economy rate. Plus Like Rishwat said, his pace and stamina are waning.

He often Sprays it too much on to the pads; If he varies his pace more and gets a good line then he'll be fine; .

[PerfectionPersonified]

Shoaib is a masterclass and he is big player in big matches,

All he needs to do is keep fit ,i dont mind him trying to bowl too fast but he needs to be accurate

he is lately Trying TOOO hard which infact has deterioted his Accuracy


the only reason why i watch pakistan playing is to watch one of his fearsome Bowling

[sahmad]

Could it be that he just came back from Pakistan to play in the first ODI? Or was he in NZ since the T20s? We all know how temperamental our team is, so it could also be the whole captaincy thing affecting his and the team's performance. The one thing that I think he needs to correct is what to ball after he gets hit for a four or a six. Someone already mentioned how he resorts to his short ball which gets clubbed a lot, and in the subcontinental conditions it might not be a good option either. May be a slow ball or a low full toss might be a better option!

[cricketfan2010]

I am a big fan of Shoab Akhter but have been very dissapointed by his recent performances. He has been extremely expensive of late and not been very penetrive. I expected him to do much better in NZ conditions.

Here are his recent performances.

7 overs for 77 and 1 wicket v South Africa ODI

4 overs for 38 and 3 wickets v NZ T20

4 overs 42 and 1 wickets v NZ T20

4 overs for 47 and 0 wickets V NZ ODI

He has been taking some serious tap.
Going over 10 runs per over continously is just mind boggling.
Seems the like the wheels are falling off.
He seriously needs to sort out his bowling rythem before the world cup.
I think Waqar should spend more time with him.

Yes but he bowls fast. From what I can gather from quite a few discussions on this forum. Only thing that is important is to bowl fast. Bowlers who can't bowl fast are rediculed here.

[cricketfan2010]

656 runs given in 94 overs at the economy rate of 6.97 and got 19 wickets in last 14 matches i.e comeback.

Economy rate for 6.94 for a premier fast bowler? What did other bowlers do..

[cric]

I have said it 2 months ago. akther going to loose couple of game in world up, and that too space of just couple overs. we can just hope the games are not the knockout one.

.


i have predicted this 4 months ago where almost every body made akther certain in playing 11.

[cricketfan2010]

I am a big fan of Shoab Akhter but have been very dissapointed by his recent performances. He has been extremely expensive of late and not been very penetrive. I expected him to do much better in NZ conditions.

Here are his recent performances.

7 overs for 77 and 1 wicket v South Africa ODI

4 overs for 38 and 3 wickets v NZ T20

4 overs 42 and 1 wickets v NZ T20

4 overs for 47 and 0 wickets V NZ ODI

He has been taking some serious tap.
Going over 10 runs per over continously is just mind boggling.
Seems the like the wheels are falling off.
He seriously needs to sort out his bowling rythem before the world cup.
I think Waqar should spend more time with him.

Yes. But he can bowl fast... Its ok to bowl full tosses as long as you can bowl fast.

[Gollum]

shoaib loses his effectiveness after 6 or 7 overs, but we knew that the day we recalled him for the last time

[cricketfan2010]

Shoaib is a masterclass and he is big player in big matches,

All he needs to do is keep fit ,i dont mind him trying to bowl too fast but he needs to be accurate

he is lately Trying TOOO hard which infact has deterioted his Accuracy


the only reason why i watch pakistan playing is to watch one of his fearsome Bowling

Today's match wasn't a big match? He did give a master class on how not to bowl in death overs.

[cricketfan2010]

we need him to destroy batting line ups :facepalm

Edit, didnt see the edit :P

He did destroy the batting line up today.. but it was pakistan's batting line.. They were too shell shocked by the target..

[chacha kashmiri]

I wouldn't bowl him in the last ten overs

[farz88]

But he doesnt even bowl that fast now. He was bowling at 140k or less which is not that fast for akthar.

[chui_kadoo]

Yes. But he can bowl fast... Its ok to bowl full tosses as long as you can bowl fast.
He was all over the place. Bowling wide full tosses, leg full tosses. At that speed all the batsmen needs to do is get a bat on it and will go for a boundary. Shoaib now can no longer bowl those deadly yorkers and should not bowl after the 35 th over

[pakistan_pride1]

budha ho gaya hai

[PakPosheeda]

Because all he had was pace and now it's getting less.
He also had swing, and a good head on his shoulders. If pace alone could bring you success, Sami would've been a legend.

Akhtar of today reminds of Waqar in his later years when he leaked runs to every tom, dick and harry.

[PerfectionPersonified]

Today's match wasn't a big match? He did give a master class on how not to bowl in death overs.

TBH i am shocked , but honestly have you ever seen any player hitting 3 sixes an over before.

His moral has gone down and so as the moral of pakistan.

But i still believe we dont have better choice at this stage also i really felt today that he is just OLD now.