Pakistan Information & News

The failure of Shoaib Akhtar to cope with the fame accorded an international sportsman has been a tragedy for Pakistan cricket, says former captain Imran Khan.

“He has such great potential (as a fast bowler) he could have done wonders but he has let himself down for being in the news for the wrong reasons,” Imran said on Saturday.

“That’s a big tragedy for Pakistan cricket. Shoaib has failed to handle all the fame,” added Imran, who is in Dubai to raise funds for his cancer hospital.

Shoaib was sent home from the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa on Friday after a bust up with team-mate Mohammad Asif.

The incident, described as a “shameful episode” by Pakistan Cricket Board chief Dr Nasim Ashraf, occurred in the nets on Thursday when a heated argument led to the 32-year-old Shoaib striking his fellow fast bowler on the thigh with a bat.

Shoaib, who has taken 169 Test and 208 One-day International wickets, has a history of run-ins with players and officials and has been reprimanded on several occasions.

“The frequent changes of Pakistan captain has further compounded Shoaib’s problems,” said Imran.

“Shoaib is a clear case of unfulfilled potential…and has to take all the blame for following controversies.

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Pakistan president Pervez Musharaf instructed the PCB to show no mercey to notorious fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar. Taking serious notice of the incident, which took place on Thursday during a training session at the Centurion Park, the president instructed the PCB high command to take strict action against Shoaib, who has a habit of tarnishing Pakistan’s image.

According to sources, the government is also in the process of putting Shoaib on the ECL in a move to prevent him from going abroad. By his own admission, the maverick fast bowler has been linked with the breakaway Indian Cricket League (ICL) for a series of Twenty20 matches. In the wake of the latest fiasco, Shoaib is now almost a certainty for the ICL.

The ICL, which is neither recognized by the game’s governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC) nor the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as well as the PCB, has reportedly offered the 32-year-old Shoaib a hefty sum to sign for it.

Shoaib’s compatriots Mohammad Yousuf, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Abdul Razzaq and Imran Farhat are already contracted to play in the controversial league.

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