Shoaib won't last long: Aaqib Javed

Former Test pacer Aaqib Javed, the chief bowling coach at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, has warned that fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar does not have a very long international career.

Describing Shoaib as a very moody player, Aaqib, who tasted success in the era of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, said he didn't see the fast bowler playing for more than two year's time. "He is basically a very moody player. Only he knows what he wants to do when he gets up the morning although each player is supposed to be ready to train and for every condition," said Aaqib.

Shoaib left the national training camp in Karachi last week complaining of a neck strain and manager Talat Ali said he had been advised a week's rest. The injury scare came after Shoaib made a comeback to Pakistan duty after playing just one Test and four One-dayers in the last 15-months due to a host of fitness problems including a knee surgery last year. Aaqib said only Shoaib knew how serious his present injury was. "Only a player knows really about his fitness. So it is hard to say whether this neck strain is serious or not," he added.

Aaqib, who is in contention for the post of assistant coach of the national team, said Shoaib had bowled very well in the practice Twenty20 matches in Lahore but was completely off colour in Karachi. "What creates problems for Shoaib is that if he is out of cricket for one or two weeks he does not touch the ball. So he loses the rhythm and focus."

Aaqib said he had advised Shoaib that even if he is resting he should bowl one or two overs to keep in touch so that he does not have to start from zero to assess his fitness and form. "If he does not work very hard in his last few years as an international player he will face a lot of difficulties in future."

Source: http://news.google.co.uk/news/url?s...&cid=1119009540
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What I don’t understand is firstly why is Aaqib saying all this on the eve of the Pakistan squad being selected for the twenty20 World Championships, and secondly, why is he saying it when just a little while back, he was almost singing Shoaib’s praises, saying its a great thing to see him back in the team etc.

err... maybe he's saying it because it's the truth and most people can clearly see it?

can't wait for Akhtar to "retire", etc.

Well, its true. I can't see Shoaib lasting longer than 2 years.. his body has already suffered from so many injuries/bumps/bruises and its only going to get worse. If he can somehow get through the next 3 Test series, I will be extremely happy.

I can’t say that I’m honestly expecting him to play out the next three series' that are coming up, but Aaqib says all this after he was making a point of how important Shoaibs come back was:

http://news.google.co.uk/news/url?s...aqib.html&cid=0

Maybe Aaqib should change his action....he could last 3 or 4 years then instead of 2

Aqib or Shoaib shudchange his action.....btw Donald has advised Flintoff to change his action in order to get rid of his ankle injury

Oh dear - my old mucker Farhad will be in a serious quandry. He is infatuated by both players. Who is he going to plump for.......?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

.

Aaqib is right and that's why i want Shoaib to quit ODIs/20-20s and only focus on test cricket

Agreed shoaib should not be playing 20/20 and should only play select ODIs.

His career can be extended if the PCB uses him wisely .. but with DNA at the helm.. this will never happen.

Shoaib Akhtar will be 32 in one week and is still playing.

Compare that to Aaqib Javed who retired in 1998 at the age of 26.

Exactly ,i never understood the purpose of playing 20/20 .Utter waste of time.

Two wrongs don't make a right! Anyways, I agree that he should just focus on tests.

no .. obviously they don't .. but Aajib had no right to make such a remark when he only lasted till 26.

Hahaha

If he performs this winter all will be be forgiven and forgotten. I believe he can actually extend his career beyond the 2yrs predicted by aquib if he is successful against the indians and more importantly and above all against the Aussies otherwise he will be history and very quickly forgotten.

The reason why I have given the Aussie ecounter greater preference is simply because pak have had reasonable success against the old enemy and success against the the no'1 team in the world has been elusive. They stuffed us during x-mas 2004-we owe them one.

Thanks Aaqib. Tell me something I didn't already know.

Whats your Point, Smart Ass!!!!

Aqib has played 160+

Akhter has played 130+, I hope Akhter plays as many ODI games as Aaqib...but i can only hope

He did play more games than Shoaib and to be fair, I think we all agree that there was a bit more to Aaqibs retirement. Why would he retire at 26? He was even yet to hit his peak age.

Politics, Aaqibs was never involved in match fixing so he got under the sights of our two main captains who were great bowlers but destroyed the pakistani team beacuse of there ego and pettiness

Why is it that Aaqib had to come in front of the press and say that Akhtar is a very moody player? Why does he have to criticize Akhtar or any other player for that matter in front of the whole world?

Of course. I mean he IS 31. Obviously he does not have more then 2 years. But liek you said Shez, he doesn'nt have to come out in front of the press and say things like that about Shoaib.

I see this thing from a different prospective and defending Aaqib Javed.

1st when Shoaib came to the camp he (AJ) was so excited. he got his work horse fit and ready to go after a long break. But all of a sudden SA decides, not to extend his service in the camp and does not show up complaining neck pain. AJ loses his work horse. If I was in his position and my pupil does things in his own ways i would be frustrated no doubt.

Hense pressing the buttons that would expose Shoaib's moodiness rattle him up.

Coming next SA speech in "I always serve Pakistan 100%".

His point is very clear.

Aaqib Javed failed to keep himself fit and clear from injuries, retiring at only 26. And now he is preaching to Shoaib. Hypocrite.

I remember living in Southampton in the early 90's when Aaqib played for Hampshire. Let's just say his fitness regime was learnt from Gazza.

Well if Aaqib was 16 when he made his debut then Afridi must have been 16 as well!

Add 4 years and you get a better reflection of his true age. Similarly Waqar's doctor used to say that he was about 5 years older. Anyway 30 is still a little too young to retire but that is where all the other factors come in.

Traditionally it isn't when Pakistani players make their debuts it's when they retire that gives a beter reflection of their true ages!

Aquib is stating the obvious. He can break down in the very first match of his return.

cant believe people are actually questioning what aquib saab said.