Shoaib might not be selected for India tour

[cricket_crazy]

Misconduct, fitness problems dampen

Shoaib’s chances for India tour

By Waheed Khan

KARACHI: Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar who returned home midway from the Australian tour carrying a hamstring strain injury should consider himself lucky if he makes the touring squad for the next month’s high-profile tour of India.

Because according to the inside information gathered by ‘The News’, the 29-year-old does not rate very high on the popularity list of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials, captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and coach Bob Woolmer.

"The circumstances in which Shoaib has returned home do not augur well for him. Another breakdown due to fitness problems, his failure to come through in Australia as a match winner and question marks over his personal conduct are all issues which are presently being looked at seriously by the authority in the context of the Indian tour," a source in PCB disclosed.

According to him, Inzamam, Woolmer and manager Haroon Rasheed had already conveyed their negative feelings about the fast bowler’s form and conduct to the PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan.

"They have narrated several instances where Shoaib had insisted on doing his own thing and not going along with the team policy. For example he chose to drive to the practice sessions when the others walked it to the ground," the source said.

"There is every possibility that with Mohammad Sami and Shabbir Ahmed expected to be fit for the Indian tour, Inzamam (if he stays on as captain) and Woolmer might not push for Shoaib’s selection for the Indian tour," the source informed.

He stated that although Shaharyar had publicly tried to defend the pacer’s conduct in Australia concerning his alleged visits to nightclubs and bars during the matches, yet privately he is neither happy with Shoaib’s behaviour nor with his role as a team man.

Shoaib, who has not won a match for Pakistan since his 10 wickets against New Zealand in December 2003 in the second Test at Wellington, rubbed a lot of people the wrong way by insisting he would not reduce his run-up in Australia despite the advice of Woolmer and even former great Imran Khan who urged him to concentrate on line and length for the sake of preserving his energy.

Shoaib made things difficult for himself by likening his long run-up to a ‘jet-plane’ take off —a remark which later became the butt of many jokes/sarcastic remarks among the TV commentators, in the Australian and Pakistan media when he broke down.

Having taken 11 wickets in the first two Tests at Perth and Melbourne (including two five-wicket hauls), Shoaib enhanced his reputation of not lasting out any full series by bowling just 15 overs in the third Test at Sydney and struggling with a hamstring strain.

To make matters worse for himself he limped off after sending down just 2.5 overs in a VB Series game against the West Indies at Brisbane after which the decision to cut his tour short was taken.

Shoaib’s tour of Australia took a turn for the worse when a section of media splashed his photographs —supposedly taken during the third Test —partying at a nightclub and bar.

‘The Sydney Herald’ kick started this controversy by carrying a story about how the Pakistani bowler was seen at some nightspots during the third Test when he was said to be carrying a hamstring injury.

Shoaib, who has taken 144 Test and 186 One-day International wickets, has defended himself by claiming the pictures were all ‘fakes’ and computer generated gizmos. He says he only visited a restaurant during the Test. He has also defended his form and fitness by insisting he had been bowling without any support from the other end and that the batting was equally to blame for letting the team down time and again.

"Why are no questions raised about the commitment of Inzamam when he missed two Tests due to a back injury from which he made a quick recovery for the one-dayers or when Abdul Razzaq fell ill in the second Test —contributing nothing and missing the third Test also with a mysterious illness," a strong supporter of Shoaib questioned.

"You look at the performances of our players in the last one year and PCB and critics should, instead of just blaming Shoaib, also find out just how many matches have been won by the other seniors like Inzamam, Youhana or Razzaq," he asked.

"Shoaib and Sami had the Australians reeling on 5 for 78 on the first day of the Perth Test but since they didn’t have any proper support from the other bowlers and the batsmen again failed, we lost. So why just blame Shoaib for everything that goes wrong."

Surprisingly for a man who is said to be more of an individual than a team man relishing his opportunity to bask in the media spotlight at the cost of irritating his teammates, Shoaib gets a lot of praise from the younger members of the team.

"He is very good with us and very cooperative. He is not a bad person and is always encouraging and helping us. But yes he does have this thing of living life in the fast lane something which does not suit the management and our culture," a younger member of the side, not wishing to be identified, said.

His supporters also point out that Woolmer or Inzamam had no business going public with their move to reduce his run-up and this was something, which they could have discussed with him (Shoaib) privately.

"Look, his personal lifestyle should not bother anyone many of our former stars have been bigger playboys. But they never came under fire because they performed as well. The only problem with Shoaib is that he is not performing to the level one would expect him to at this stage of his chequered career."

Whatever the next few weeks have in store for Shoaib, what is clear is that at present he is not a favourite of many people to make the Indian tour despite his clear ability to win matches for Pakistan with his sheer pace and skill to unnerve world’s best batsmen.

If Pakistan drop Shoaib when he is doing the business ON THE FIELD WHERE IT MATTERS they deserve all the centuries the Indian batsmen get.

[Geordie Ahmed]

its unfair to single him out for our performances and we should not criticise him for going to nightclubs if indeed he did!

the CRITICISM of him i have is that his fitness is a DISGRACE, he breaks down way too often and is out of breath after bowling a few overs. he needs to work on his fitness before he can get back into the side.

[catwoman]

*** is the PCB smoking these days? Dropping Shoaib is one of the biggest sins possible. |-n

[Saqlain_doosra]

He needs to work on his fitness before indian tour and be fully fit before the tour

i knew Mona-ji u would have to have ur say! Mona, if he is performing on the field which he undoubtedly is whats the problem? In the past ppl conveniently overlooked the antics of Imran, Wasim and Waqar.

[catwoman]

He was one of the very few players who actually performed in the test series and I can't believe people actually have the guts to question his performances and match winning status. How the hell is he supposed to win games when the rest of the players are unable to do their job, especially the captain who failed miserably. Why isn't anyone criticizing him?? What about Sami?

People need to get a life and stay out of his personal life.

[Fessal]

Good riddance of this tw@t and think'e hes god's gift and in love with himself. I dont care how many matches he wins for us and even if Pak lose without him because I rather have a TEAM trying their best and commited. The team could do with this disruptive individual who has no shame and is highly unprofessional, dosent listen to anyone, is a disgrace with his behaviour and commmitment etc.

cricket is a team game Mona-ji and Shoaib is an integral part of it. Not like Pak have an attack of Wasim, Waqar, Imran and Qadir is it?

[catwoman]

Shoaib should just quit cricket and let the Pakistani team suffer. Perhaps they might realize his value then. |-D

I'd rather have the best team Pak can put out. Ok i am off now to sleep. Shabakhair, Khuda Hafiz Mona-ji, every1. u dont mind the Mona-ji?!
bye.

[Team Slayer]

keep in mind the article is from Waheed Khan who works for the "source" news

[Fessal]

That would be nice if Shoaib quits Mona. The Pak team may suffer by not havinga match winner but will benfit a lot in the long run with having a team with the biggest disruptive individual and trouble maker. And, they will get use to trying more harder and not relying on someone who wins them 2 matches in a year. No big loss in that sense but more of a gain.

[hasanahmad]

for pakistan its better to have no shoaib akhtar than to have a bowler short every other innings

[161]

anyword on Saqlains fitness???

playing on the dust bowls of India, spinners will be much more important then pacers.

[tahaqureshi]

Rana is 10 times more useful than shoaib..

firstly he takes atleast one or two wickets every match..

secondly, he has a really big heart..we need these kinds of players..not unfit people like shoaib

and plus, shoaib's absence will allow for the inclusion of another new pacer such as m irshad or shahid nazir, people everybody here at PP have been screaming for

[Sage]

I don't really care what a cricketer does off the field, as long as it doesnt interfere with their performances or disrupt the team. If a player can manage to drink, smoke pot, and multiple girls in his room and still manage to perform well and not disrupt the team, its fine by me.

But with Shoaib, his performances have been inconsistent, and he certainly disrupts the team. I'm pretty sure his ego and obnoxiousness have been greatly exaggerated by the media but its still ridiculous. Time for him to be dropped for some time and let him compete to get back. And I can handle a pathetic Pakistan bowling attack...we've been tolerating it for years already as Akhtar misses most matches anyway.

Dump Akhtar, bring in Shahid Nazir, Mohammad Irshad, or another promising bowler.

[tahaqureshi]

simply put..

AKHTAR IS MORE OF A BURDEN THAN AN ENTITY

we need a change now..

akhtar has had long enough a run..and aparently his off field life is affecting his on field performance

i guess its all the alcohol that caused his hamstring to get injured :oD

[Sage]

I must say, the part about the nightclub pictures being "computer generated gizmos" had me laughin' :oD

But this laughing smiley sucks :o^

[razzler]

Whf is PCB thinking? He needs to be told in clear terms to buck up his attitude or you are out. He is no way to be dropped for this. Sami needs to be told the same thing about his performances.

[pakistani pride]

Guys relax. PCB are not brave enough to drop him !

He will go to india but he himself needs to look at fitness !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MIG]

This is a management issue which PCB should resolve internally - they can leave the other talk for Inzi, BW and Shoaibs biographies where these can be resurrected for ever and ever....

Shoaib is our premier strike bowler - just work on his fitness - he will deliver - get the rest of the bowling to some kind of reasonable support and Shoaib will deliver with a bang - rememember Indians dont like facing him - why make their lives easier ?

[waquas_uk]

:-)

best news ive heard all day hes not comiteed enough

i can remember imran said once "i used to do many other things off field but cricket was always number1. wether it was team meeting or match i would be there first"

btw my first post on new site :-D

[kayanni]

Shoaib loves the limelight - this in itself is no bad thing as every team needs a superstar.

However the difference between Shoaib and others like Flintoff, Lee, Shewag, Pathan, Lara etc is that they will always play for the team while Shoaib plays for himself.

In addition why was he driving to the grounds on tour rather than going on the team bus/walking - what message does that send out to the others.

[Rudi hater]

He is not committed enough Mona is blindly following him, then agian love is blind. :-)

[Amjid Javed]

s nazir, muhammed irshad, shabbir and sami shud be are seamers for india tour!

[Hooker]

There is no way he should be dropped he is the only real threat we have.

[Rudi hater]

Threat of beating people up I guess not taking wickets.

[Kean0]

Damn straight,

i think i have pointed this out before, if this was a footballers and her was not fit, he would NOT be considered for the squad.

If Actor aint fit, then he should not go.

He has to earn his place, and not ecpect a place becoz of what he has done in the past.

[Fessal]

Originally Posted by Hooker There is no way he should be dropped he is the only real threat we have.

Well he is also the real threat for hooking up and behaving disgracefully with people in the category of your name sake.

(no offense to u personally but y forum name means other things too)

Well we all know how India paid for having no Nayan who was said to be disruptive. At the end of the day u gotta have the best players out there representing you country and that includes Shoaib Akhtar. He has done the job for Pakistan, 144 wkts in 36 tests and 186 wkts in 106 odis is superb. Sorry but this is absolutely ridiculous.

[Fessal]

Just for Amit and Mona I will paste my poste from the other thread below incase u havent seen it.

...........................

Amit and those that say he has a good record also should realise that a lot of his wickets were taken when he had sahra and support of Wasim, Waqar and Saqlain at the other end. The guy is now always moaning he has no support from the other end instead of carrying the attack like Imran did at times on his own and succesfully.

This Actor tw@t should shut his mouth and concentrate on his own fitness and sort himself out. As for his behaviour and attitude: its very disgraceful and insult to Pakistan....the me me attitude, the night clubs and refusal to listen to others, driving to the ground instead of being with the team etc etc..THE LIST IS ENDLESS.

I don't mind if we lose while trying hard rather than losing or winning with a disruptive and trouble maker Shoaib around. And, this tw@t has had so many chances. How I would liek to see him and give him a beating of a life and I dont mean in cricket but the bat would be handy.

i would rather the team won at all costs.

[Fessal]

I don't..while cricket maybe important and we want too win there is more important things in life which can't be comprimised.

What does winning at all costs mean?? beating soemone up, torturing them, being insensitive and disgraceful to your country and religion??? etc

Winning at all costs can mean anything and I ceartainly wouldnt give up many things and pay the cost just for us to win in cricket.

[Waqar's inswinging yorker]

hahaha
monsee and the others the masterplan is working!!!!! monsee is getting the job done in pak!!!

[zzzzzz]

We dont need *****. ***** disrupts the whole team and keeps moaning about the support. He had plenty of support from Kaneria and Sami. I think Kaneria didnt have much support. ***** comes in and bowls fast takes 2 - 3 wickets once a year in his opening spell and then ***** is too tired or least bothered to bowl again. ***** doesnt play well once hegets a few wickets because ***** plays for himself. He doesnt play for the team. ***** is no good. Rather have a consistent player instead of *****.

[Amjid Javed]

super post fessel, cricket isnt always about having shovanistic pink animal players.. who are full of themselves!

id rather we have a team that tried hard and gave their all!

[prem]

Pakistan are sitting ducks without shoaib !! whose gonna take wickets .... Malik with a suspect action ....Razzaks test prowess is questionable .....the rest of the guys can at best be good support bolwers ...the less said about Sami the better !!

[Fessal]

Thanks Amjid. Glad u share the same views as me on this.

[safehands46]

ha who madeup that one it makes everyone gigle because our bowling has no one we are left with the unavailing attack bowler shoaib akhter.

[sajjad]

we dont need a wannabe ferrari or a guy who thinks he is a figter jet aircraft playing in our team

a 'humans only' restriction should be placed on the pakistan team and those who want to be otherwise should submit applications at the lahore zoo or other appropriate places.