PCB furious at 'unfit' Shoaib's inclusion

[Savak]

PCB furious at 'unfit' Shoaib's inclusion

Press Trust Of India

Posted on Nov 14, 2008 at 21:14

Karachi: Pacer Shoaib Akhtar's continued struggle with fitness has irked the Pakistan Cricket Board officials and selectors, who are now questioning his selection in the side.

Shoaib, still struggling with a calf strain failed a fitness test ahead of the second one-dayer in Abu Dhabi on Friday, raising serious questions whether he was fit enough to be included in the national team.

Shoaib was picked in the side for the ODI series against West Indies after playing a couple of Twenty20 matches and two first class games where too his fitness remained doubtful as he bowled in short spells.

"This latest injury really does raise serious questions whether Shoaib has the fitness levels and stamina to survive for long in international cricket," one former Test player said.

Sources within the PCB said Chairman Ejaz Butt and selectors were not happy with the way Shoaib had strained his calf muscle during the team's first training session in Abu Dhabi.

One source said that Butt has directed the selectors to ensure that in future only 100 per cent fit players would be picked in the national team and those with even a slight doubt over fitness should be ignored.

Shoaib returned to the national side after remaining on the sidelines since last December due to fitness and disciplinary issues.

Interestingly, Shoaib himself has said he can play for another two to three years for Pakistan.

Link: http://cricketnext.in.com/news/pcb-furious-at-unfit-shoaibs-inclusion/35581-13.html

Comments: The PCB has the right to be furious. How can he just get injured in a net session just like that. I fear the worst. Akhtar has some serious decisions to make.

[shane]

Does it really surprise anyone anymore that Akhtar is making money by sitting on the bench? He has been doing it half his career.

[Savak]

Does it really surprise anyone anymore that Akhtar is making money by sitting on the bench? He has been doing it half his career.

I dont think he gets paid when he doesn't play. He isnt centrally contracted anymore.

[Mercenary]

I dont think he gets paid when he doesn't play. He isnt centrally contracted anymore.

Ifyou're partof the squad you always get paid. The benefit of a central contract is you get a retainer when you're not picked in the squad

[Iqbal'sh]

Hope this report is true.
About time PCB took on Akhtar head on.
He's got away with these antics for too long now.

[kablooee87]

Comments: The PCB has the right to be furious. How can he just get injured in a net session just like that. I fear the worst. Akhtar has some serious decisions to make.
What exactly would that worst be?

[Savak]

What exactly would that worst be?

Him being asked to cut test cricket or the game altogether. He doesnt help himself by getting injured every time. There is a limit to everyone's patience. He has to be honest with himself, if he cannot genuinely avoid injuries anymore then he will have to cut down on his run up, pace or restrict himself to one form of cricket. Time is not on his side. We will have to move on eventually.

[SalaamPakistan]

iT is not too late to cut the pace and shorten the run up; his line and length is not bad and definitely, much effective. But my advice is useless though since Akhtar heeds no one else; quite a huge ego and selfish!

[Wazeeri]

Shoaib is past his sell by date,

I know this has been said about him before and he has come back stronger but now it seems too clear that the end of his career happened a few months ago.

The amount crying and throwing his toys out of the pram this man does whenever he isn't selected is laughable seeing that everytime he is selected for anything he manages a few overs at best.

Shoaib Thanks for all the great moments you have given us

Bollywood beckons,

BYE BYE

[SalaamPakistan]

Speak of expiry date; look very much true!

[Savak]

Shoaib is past his sell by date,

I know this has been said about him before and he has come back stronger but now it seems too clear that the end of his career happened a few months ago.

The amount crying and throwing his toys out of the pram this man does whenever he isn't selected is laughable seeing that everytime he is selected for anything he manages a few overs at best.

Shoaib Thanks for all the great moments you have given us

Bollywood beckons,

BYE BYE

You never know in Pakistani Cricket. People say he is finished and he comes back stronger. I wont totally bet against him yet.

[Ghoshtbuster]

err why was he selected if he was not 100% fit?

This means that someone like Sohail Khan/Anwer Ali missed out - just for Akhtar to sit on the bench.

[Monsee]

Him being asked to cut test cricket or the game altogether. He doesnt help himself by getting injured every time. There is a limit to everyone's patience. He has to be honest with himself, if he cannot genuinely avoid injuries anymore then he will have to cut down on his run up, pace or restrict himself to one form of cricket. Time is not on his side. We will have to move on eventually.



And yet when I said the same things, you cried a river :imran

Accept it, all your hopes, dreams, and expectations have been destroyed 'Again' by this liability of a player...time to pick someone else as your idol!

[Savak]

iT is not too late to cut the pace and shorten the run up; his line and length is not bad and definitely, much effective. But my advice is useless though since Akhtar heeds no one else; quite a huge ego and selfish!

To be honest, i dont think Akhtar will be the same again if he cuts down his pace and run up. He might finish or dramatically reduce his injury problems, but he will be a shadow of his former self. I can safely say most batters around the world would love to see Shoaib operate of a short run at reduced pace than a long run steaming in.

But realistically speaking, i think the Akhtar story is coming to a close. Pakistan Cricket will move on and in the end Akhtar will be ruing IF, IF ONLY. He has definitely under achieved and would wish he could go back in time and change things.

[Islamabadi]

i hope he plays on sunday and gets spanked around so we never have to see him again... he is taking sohail khan's spot

[Savak]

And yet when I said the same things, you cried a river :imran

Accept it, all your hopes, dreams, and expectations have been destroyed 'Again' by this liability of a player...time to pick someone else as your idol!

Can there ever be another 155 km/hr speed demon in Pakistan again. The only way i can get over Akhtar is if i see another speedster replacing him.

[SalaamPakistan]

There will be 155 km/hr, but we have to be patient. The current bowlers we have will be gone; and you never know in the future! Pakistan fast bowling standard is very much alive, but we have to be patient

[Ghoshtbuster]

Can there ever be another 155 km/hr speed demon in Pakistan again.
Its in the blood Savak.

[Indian Pretending to To Be Pakistani]

He is the fastest bowler in the world, so he should be automatically selected for every tournament pakistan play.

[Iqbal'sh]

i hope he plays on sunday and gets spanked around so we never have to see him again... he is taking sohail khan's spot

Don't think so. Ahead of the next hyped up player currently are:

Anjum Rao
Abdur Rauf -- even after 1st ODI vs Windies
Yasar Arafat
Wahab Riaz
Anwar Ali

[Ghoshtbuster]

I dont know if breaking domestic records in your first 2 seasons is compatible with "hyped up".

[waqar_ahmad]

He is the fastest bowler in the world, so he should be automatically selected for every tournament pakistan play.
And then be made to play in a wheel chair to prevent any injuries

[161]

Come January he will once again prove his worth to the team.

For now the PCB should stop being "furious" and instead just get him a full time dietitian/trainer to help melt all his excess weight off.

[Mercenary]

You never know in Pakistani Cricket. People say he is finished and he comes back stronger. I wont totally bet against him yet.

When has he ever come back stronger? I dont consider someone coming back bowling half a dozen overs and taking a few wickets then getting injured/banned again to be coming back stronger than ever.

[OZGOD]

Shoaib's been a fantastic 12th man for Pakistan.

[Savak]

When has he ever come back stronger? I dont consider someone coming back bowling half a dozen overs and taking a few wickets then getting injured/banned again to be coming back stronger than ever.

Its not just about injuries, its about being called a disruptive influence, being a liability, being worthless, useless, not caring about the team, being selfish, faking injuries e.t.c. This guy has faced a lot of flak, criticism throughout his career and keeps coming back to prove one point or the other.

A 17-20 wicket haul on dead wickets is long due from Shoaib now. Its the demand of the hour. Its the only way to rehabilitation, this is his welfare process.

[Saj]

It was a very important trip for Akhtar, a trip he had to make to Abu Dhabi.

The main purpose wasnt to play cricket but to get some more air miles and do plenty of shopping.

Who cares about the cricket eh Akhtar, whats more important is to have a good time, stop in 5 star hotels, eat good food, drink plenty, party hard, buy the latest electrical gadgets, buy some more gold and as I said before to clock up some more air miles.

The sooner this plague of a player is kicked out, the better it will be !

[Savak]

It was a very important trip for Akhtar, a trip he had to make to Abu Dhabi.

The main purpose wasnt to play cricket but to get some more air miles and do plenty of shopping.

Who cares about the cricket eh Akhtar, whats more important is to have a good time, stop in 5 star hotels, eat good food, drink plenty, party hard, buy the latest electrical gadgets, buy some more gold and as I said before to clock up some more air miles.

The sooner this plague of a player is kicked out, the better it will be !

Understandable frustration. I cant say much more. There have been no reports of indiscipline, late nights, breaking curfews, drinking yet.

[Mercenary]

Total hypocrisy from the PCB, they're the ones who always select him without proper fitness tests and who let him miss out on fitness camps or training with the army.

Then when he turns out not to be fit enough for international cricket they blame shoaib, they're the ones who need to be testing his fitness before selecting him!

[Savak]

Total hypocrisy from the PCB, they're the ones who always select him without proper fitness tests and who let him miss out on fitness camps or training with the army.

Then when he turns out not to be fit enough for international cricket they blame shoaib, they're the ones who need to be testing his fitness before selecting him!

To be honest. Akhtar played in the two pentangular matches and got wickets and overs under his belt. Intikhab also said Akhtar was fit, strong and bowling at 150 km/hr plus. No one can predict injuries, injuries can happen on spot. Its unfortunate and very frustrating.

[Mercenary]

To be honest. Akhtar played in the two pentangular matches and got wickets and overs under his belt. Intikhab also said Akhtar was fit, strong and bowling at 150 km/hr plus. No one can predict injuries, injuries can happen on spot. Its unfortunate and very frustrating.

If the PCB put Akhtar through a rigorous fitness test before each tour, he'd never pass it. Eventually it would get into his thick head that he's unfit and then he may not have become the Mr Blobby we see today!

[Lahoria]

If the selectors had any brains or balls they would have kept him out of the squad and made sure that he played all the pentagular cup games but alas common sense and PCB don't go togeather.

[Savak]

If the PCB put Akhtar through a rigorous fitness test before each tour, he'd never pass it. Eventually it would get into his thick head that he's unfit and then he may not have become the Mr Blobby we see today!

You will have to define rigourous fitness test here. He was asked to go and play domestic cricket to prove his form and fitness. He picked up 9 wickets in 2 games and got 44 overs under his belt. Considering we had 3 ODI matches coming up, it was rightly assumed he would pull it off and get more match practice under his belt. I am sure the trainer spent a lot of time with Akhtar in the training camp and he was cleared for the tournament.

Unfortunately he picked up an injury in net practice in Abu Dhabi. In the past Akhtar has been criticized for breaking down during an ODI or test match and he has been criticized for playing with an injury. He rightfully sat out of the first two ODI's and is still getting bashed. Its clear he picked the injury up in Abu Dhabi.

Look at Shane Bond, no one can deny he never worked hard on his fitness but he kept breaking down, breaking down till he gave up and chose an easier option of playing in a tournament where he would just have to bowl 4 overs in every match and play for just a month. Akhtar could have given up just like Bond but he is still persisting, he deserves some credit atleast for this.

[Oxy]

PCB need to look at themselves.

They selected Shoaib - what they expect him to do? Not turn up?

[Savak]

PCB need to look at themselves.

They selected Shoaib - what they expect him to do? Not turn up?

Its no one's fault. Blame circumstances beyond anyone's control. PCB rightfully selected him, he got injured at the wrong and worst possible time after putting in the hard work for the last month. Now he is getting flak. Its a cruel world.

[Random Aussie]

Seems to be the end of the line for :akhtar this time

[Blistering Barnacle]

You will have to define rigourous fitness test here. He was asked to go and play domestic cricket to prove his form and fitness. He picked up 9 wickets in 2 games and got 44 overs under his belt. Considering we had 3 ODI matches coming up, it was rightly assumed he would pull it off and get more match practice under his belt. I am sure the trainer spent a lot of time with Akhtar in the training camp and he was cleared for the tournament.

Unfortunately he picked up an injury in net practice in Abu Dhabi. In the past Akhtar has been criticized for breaking down during an ODI or test match and he has been criticized for playing with an injury. He rightfully sat out of the first two ODI's and is still getting bashed. Its clear he picked the injury up in Abu Dhabi.

Look at Shane Bond, no one can deny he never worked hard on his fitness but he kept breaking down, breaking down till he gave up and chose an easier option of playing in a tournament where he would just have to bowl 4 overs in every match and play for just a month. Akhtar could have given up just like Bond but he is still persisting, he deserves some credit atleast for this.

Good post.

People here act as if injuries are completely avoidable. They are not.

Akhtar needs to determine whether it is worth trying to play international cricket. His body might not be able to handle it, full stop.

[Mercenary]

Good post.

People here act as if injuries are completely avoidable. They are not.

Akhtar needs to determine whether it is worth trying to play international cricket. His body might not be able to handle it, full stop.

If you have an injury prone body then it's not your fault if you keep getting injured.

BUT if you dont keep yourself in tip top shape when you're an international athlete (which an express bowler should be) then you're solely to blame because you havent even given yourself a fighting chance to stay fit!

[volcyz]

Look at Shane Bond, no one can deny he never worked hard on his fitness but he kept breaking down, breaking down till he gave up and chose an easier option of playing in a tournament where he would just have to bowl 4 overs in every match and play for just a month. Akhtar could have given up just like Bond but he is still persisting, he deserves some credit atleast for this.

If Shoaib doesn't want to breakdown, then why is he spending 6 days a week in the gym for 2 0hours each time blasting iron?

Unless he is on steroids, he will DEFINITELY get injured with the amout of wear and tear he does to himself in the gym doing squats, deadlifts etc etc...

*** is the guy thinking.

Not to mention the lack of core strength from the guy, which leads to numerous injuries.

[Asim2Good]

waiting for comments from :akhtar AFTER this ODI series :
I am fully fit and waiting for Indian Series :akhtar

[Monsee]

Good post.

People here act as if injuries are completely avoidable. They are not.

Akhtar needs to determine whether it is worth trying to play international cricket. His body might not be able to handle it, full stop.



Injury in a training session is being defended by you now...my, what standards Shoaib fans have!

What next...?

His body will be able to handle it once he stop doing all that Gym work, starts running, stop chain smoking, stop drinking, and loose a ton of weight!

[Savak]

Injury in a training session is being defended by you now...my, what standards Shoaib fans have!

What next...?

His body will be able to handle it once he stop doing all that Gym work, starts running, stop chain smoking, stop drinking, and loose a ton of weight!

OK, lets say he looses all the weight and he still gets injured, then what will you say? Still get angry at him?

[hussein]

this guy should retire

cant even bowl 1 over anymore..

[Monsee]

OK, lets say he looses all the weight and he still gets injured, then what will you say? Still get angry at him?



You are acting like a 2 year old...why would we get mad at him if he makes an effort; the key word is 'Effort'!

Doing all the gym in the world, building muscles, and using his own trainers/doctors have achieved jack for him except making him look like a sumo wrestler!

The best thing for him would be to loose 10-15 kgs of weight, stop smoking/drinking, and start running 5-10 miles a day...if he does all that and still gets injured than why would anyone wanna blame him?

It is when he shows up looking like ready to have a child and then gets injured when we get frustrated!

[Savak]

You are acting like a 2 year old...why would we get mad at him if he makes an effort; the key word is 'Effort'!

Doing all the gym in the world, building muscles, and using his own trainers/doctors have achieved jack for him except making him look like a sumo wrestler!

The best thing for him would be to loose 10-15 kgs of weight, stop smoking/drinking, and start running 5-10 miles a day...if he does all that and still gets injured than why would anyone wanna blame him?

It is when he shows up looking like ready to have a child and then gets injured when we get frustrated!

:)) :)) :))

I have just learnt to enjoy your comments but if you and others stop blaming him and pouncing on his injuries it will make my day.

So :akhtar lose the 20-30 pounds and become slim again.

[Monsee]

^^^ Can you post one single comment where you squarely blame the omnipotent fat and injured Pindi idiot for his issues/controversies rather than always blaming others?

[Savak]

^^^ Can you post one single comment where you squarely blame the omnipotent fat and injured Pindi idiot for his issues/controversies rather than always blaming others?

I dont think i blamed anyone for anything there. I believe in honestly and logically in placing blame where it belongs rather than placing blame without fully studying facts of the situation.

[Monsee]

I dont think i blamed anyone for anything there. I believe in honestly and logically in placing blame where it belongs rather than placing blame without fully studying facts of the situation.



'I have just learnt to enjoy your comments but if you and others stop blaming him and pouncing on his injuries it will make my day.'



You decide...

[Savak]

You decide...

Your question was when will you ever blame him alone rather than others for his controversies.

What do you people have to do with his controversies?

All i said was the moment you and others quit getting Angry at Akhtar for getting injured, it will make my day.

Now who am i blaming for controversies/injuries here?

I am blaming you people for over reacting to his injuries.

[volcyz]

Shoaib is his own root cause for injuries.

Kids should learn a lesson from all of this shambles:

Steroids fks up your body once your off it.

[161]

If you have an injury prone body then it's not your fault if you keep getting injured.

BUT if you dont keep yourself in tip top shape when you're an international athlete (which an express bowler should be) then you're solely to blame because you havent even given yourself a fighting chance to stay fit!

Merc .. Shoaib has been in terrific physical shape most here career .. but he's old now .. way older than his listed age .. how often do you see a guys beard go gray at "32" ?

Lets quit whining about his physical condition and at least appreciate that he is still willing to give all he can for the national team ... unlike the MoYo and others !

[Bublu Bhuyan]

Is it me, or Is Shoaib seriously balding ?

http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200708/r171616_645687.jpg

[volcyz]

Merc .. Shoaib has been in terrific physical shape most here career .. but he's old now .. way older than his listed age .. how often do you see a guys beard go gray at "32" ?

Lets quit whining about his physical condition and at least appreciate that he is still willing to give all he can for the national team ... unlike the MoYo and others !
I suggest you look up the side-effects of anabolic steroids and testosterone enhancers and see if you can recognise which symptoms are best exhibited by Shoaib.


Simple one, is premature excess balding caused by testosterone boosters like 1-AD, Stoked, Halodrol-50.

[161]

I suggest you look up the side-effects of anabolic steroids and testosterone enhancers and see if you can recognise which symptoms are best exhibited by Shoaib.


Simple one, is premature excess balding caused by testosterone boosters like 1-AD, Stoked, Halodrol-50.

???

Does your post have a point ?

I think we all already aware that Shoaib tested positive in the past.

[Savak]

Merc .. Shoaib has been in terrific physical shape most here career .. but he's old now .. way older than his listed age .. how often do you see a guys beard go gray at "32" ?

Lets quit whining about his physical condition and at least appreciate that he is still willing to give all he can for the national team ... unlike the MoYo and others !

You might be right about his age, even i think he is older than his official age. But i have a friend who is 27 years old and even he has a white stubbing. My uncle started greying when he was 30 years old.

I think it has to do a lot with stress, tension e.t.c

[Savak]

Is it me, or Is Shoaib seriously balding ?

http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200708/r171616_645687.jpg

He did go bald between 2006-07. Got a hair transplant done since then.

[volcyz]

???

Does your post have a point ?

I think we all already aware that Shoaib tested positive in the past.
The stuff he's been using has been notoriously noted for the side effects of hair loss, loss of libido, aching joints among other negative symptoms, especially if he is in the post cycle therapy stage.

[Bublu Bhuyan]

He did go bald between 2006-07. Got a hair transplant done since then.
Hair transplant, are you sure ? I haven't seen him for a long time, I mean I didn't watch the T20 matches and he haven't played in this series so far. He also didn't play in the Kitply Cup and the Asia Cup.

[161]

The stuff he's been using has been notoriously noted for the side effects of hair loss, loss of libido, aching joints among other negative symptoms, especially if he is in the post cycle therapy stage.

I see .. so Shoaib isn't playing now because of the loss of libido and baldness he suffered years ago when he took roids .. thanks for the clarification yaar :19:

[Savak]

Hair transplant, are you sure ? I haven't seen him for a long time, I mean I didn't watch the T20 matches and he haven't played in this series so far. He also didn't play in the Kitply Cup and the Asia Cup.

He had it done after the bat hitting incident when he was sent home during September 2007. He had lost a lot of hair and he was looking like a complete shadow of himself. Besides technology has really advanced and people are finding it easy to adopt such solutions.

[volcyz]

I see .. so Shoaib isn't playing now because of the loss of libido and baldness he suffered years ago when he took roids .. thanks for the clarification yaar :19:
No problems, its his own fault that he continues to train like a bodybuilder on steroids who are able to train 6-7 timesa week without getting injured due to all the 'good juice' they are on.
Hmm 2007 doesn't like too many years ago to me? Hmmmmmm....
He is own killer with the amount of damage on his body, his terrible nutrition, terrible routine....
No doubt he is in line for potential premature death before he is 70.

[Savak]

The stuff he's been using has been notoriously noted for the side effects of hair loss, loss of libido, aching joints among other negative symptoms, especially if he is in the post cycle therapy stage.

I am not completely sure about the steroids thing as yet. At first i was pretty convinced that there was no doubt it had to be steroids and nothing else when he was first captured in 2006. His side of the story is that his nandrolene levels went up because of the supplements (not steroids) he had been using which were not exactly banned by the ICC. In 2006, i felt this was a stupid excuse and did not buy it for a second.

But then this Asif episode part two occurred in the IPL. Now both Akhtar, Asif were dope tested before the 2007 T-20 WC which they cleared. Now i am pretty certain that Asif after getting away by the shave of his skin in 2006 would not deliberately inject himself with steroids knowing full well that the ICC passed a law in which they had the right to dope test any player, any place, any time on whom there was the slightest suspicion.

Maybe it could be possible that these supplements which arent exactly steroids could actually increase Nandrolene levels in the body. I am sure Asif would not be so retarded to use Steroids again after getting away in 2006.

This is my take on the whole thing.

[Savak]

Besides, for Akhtar's hairloss. Is it just necessary that the hairloss is due to supplements, steroids alone? I have seen some family pics and some of his relatives are bald, his dad is bald as well. He has also been careless with his hair, he gels it a lot, brushes it back with his hand a lot, wets his hair every 3-4 seconds. I wasnt surprised he lost his hair in the end.

Hair is like grass, when its wet its a lot easier to break and fall. This is what a hair specialist told me once.

[volcyz]

I am not completely sure about the steroids thing as yet. At first i was pretty convinced that there was no doubt it had to be steroids and nothing else when he was first captured in 2006. His side of the story is that his nandrolene levels went up because of the supplements (not steroids) he had been using which were not exactly banned by the ICC. In 2006, i felt this was a stupid excuse and did not buy it for a second.

But then this Asif episode part two occurred in the IPL. Now both Akhtar, Asif were dope tested before the 2007 T-20 WC which they cleared. Now i am pretty certain that Asif after getting away by the shave of his skin in 2006 would not deliberately inject himself with steroids knowing full well that the ICC passed a law in which they had the right to dope test any player, any place, any time on whom there was the slightest suspicion.

Maybe it could be possible that these supplements which arent exactly steroids could actually increase Nandrolene levels in the body. I am sure Asif would not be so retarded to use Steroids again after getting away in 2006.

This is my take on the whole thing.

Well he reportedly had been taking a fat burning formula, which definitely would not increase nandrolene levels.
A pre-workout Nitric Oxide supplement formulated mainly with AAKG and Caffeine, again that should no way increase anabolic steroid levels.
SizeOn by Gaspari nutrition, which is a creatine product and no way does that increase nandrolene levels.
Honestly it's not hard for him to take a few tabs of DECA and try to flush it out of the system after gains with diuretics like Caffeine and Yohimbe... Of course he probably did not anticipate the random testing before the Champions trophy.

Asif is just a crazy case, probably trying to HGH to get back from being injured in time to make some serious $$$ with the IPL. He's not the smartest cookie around.

[volcyz]

Besides, for Akhtar's hairloss. Is it just necessary that the hairloss is due to supplements, steroids alone? I have seen some family pics and some of his relatives are bald, his dad is bald as well. He has also been careless with his hair, he gels it a lot, brushes it back with his hand a lot, wets his hair every 3-4 seconds. I wasnt surprised he lost his hair in the end.

Hair is like grass, when its wet its a lot easier to break and fall. This is what a hair specialist told me once.
Well it could be a genetics thing, but increasing testosterone levels a lot is proven to cause a lot of hairloss, which probably really accelerated his...


Steroids cause a lot of damage to the liver and general wellbeing thus why Shoaib probably looked so bad in those pics of 07-08, with the big boozy eyes etc... Along with his partying, drinking and smoking.... It's a terrible routine guaranteed to screw up ones body.

[Savak]

Well it could be a genetics thing, but increasing testosterone levels a lot is proven to cause a lot of hairloss, which probably really accelerated his...


Steroids cause a lot of damage to the liver and general wellbeing thus why Shoaib probably looked so bad in those pics of 07-08, with the big boozy eyes etc... Along with his partying, drinking and smoking.... It's a terrible routine guaranteed to screw up ones body.

Cant disagree. I have myself been critical of his personal lifestyle. He hasnt looked after himself.

[Savak]

Well he reportedly had been taking a fat burning formula, which definitely would not increase nandrolene levels.
A pre-workout Nitric Oxide supplement formulated mainly with AAKG and Caffeine, again that should no way increase anabolic steroid levels.
SizeOn by Gaspari nutrition, which is a creatine product and no way does that increase nandrolene levels.
Honestly it's not hard for him to take a few tabs of DECA and try to flush it out of the system after gains with diuretics like Caffeine and Yohimbe... Of course he probably did not anticipate the random testing before the Champions trophy.

Asif is just a crazy case, probably trying to HGH to get back from being injured in time to make some serious $$$ with the IPL. He's not the smartest cookie around.

Quite possible. Maybe he felt he could try and hide it by using a masking agent. But the ICC dope testing procedures are highly advanced, no one can escape with any drugs in the system.

[volcyz]

Cant disagree. I have myself been critical of his personal lifestyle. He hasnt looked after himself.
The saddest thing is, probably the day he realizes all his bad mistakes... it's already far too late... The damage has already been severely dealt, the opportunities of lifetimes forgone and wasted... A chance to truly be the ultimate spearhead of Pakistan, never realised. A chance to be the absolute best in the world relinquished....

[Savak]

The saddest thing is, probably the day he realizes all his bad mistakes... it's already far too late... The damage has already been severely dealt, the opportunities of lifetimes forgone and wasted... A chance to truly be the ultimate spearhead of Pakistan, never realised. A chance to be the absolute best in the world relinquished....

It all came down to one thing. He couldnt handle fame. He got a lot of fame, attention and adulation from media, fans and sections of society. He really goes out of his way to mingle with celebrities and at parties.

In one way in the end, its good we saw someone like Akhtar in our history, atleast future generations might have a clear example that supreme, once in a lifetime talent can take you to the top but will never keep you there.

[Mercenary]

Merc .. Shoaib has been in terrific physical shape most here career .. but he's old now .. way older than his listed age .. how often do you see a guys beard go gray at "32" ?

I know quite a few guys with greying hair, some as young as 22-23. Age isnt the only factor that leads to grey hair, stress is also a big factor.

Even if Akhtar is 34-36 then compare him to guys like Misbah, Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and even Waqar. I know guys in their 50s and 60s who'd put Akhtar (and me) to shame in a fitness test!

Akhtar is an international athlete he has no excuse to be in the sort of shape he is.