Can Shoaib Akhtar deliver for Pakistan?
Over the years, one has seen several international cricket players, who have not been able to continue playing for their countries due to injuries and controversies. Shoaib Akhtar is among those players, who have had an injury and controversy prone international cricket career.
Many would wonder why fast bowlers undergo severe fitness tests and surgeries. Fast bowlers need to be physically fit to bowl at an average pace of 90 miles per hour. Since the limited over game is played so frequently, fast bowlers need to follow a strict fitness and training regime.
Pakistani fast bowler, Shoaib Akhtar, also known as “Rawalpindi Express”, holds the fastest delivery record of 161.3 km/h or 100.2 mph in a match against England. The veteran bowler is also known for his ability to bowl fast in-swinging yorkers and fatal bouncers, which makes him the best at what he does. Taking 227 wickets in just 147 One Day Internationals (ODIs) at an average of 21.85, and in 46 Test matches he has taken 178 wickets, again at an outstanding average of 25.69, makes him a World class bowler.
The 36-year old has faced several controversies in his international career. He has been involved in drug scandals, night-club brawls, abusing South African Spinner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 in 2003.
The veteran pacer has been through it all, yet he has been given another chance by the Pakistani selectors to make one final comeback to the national team. The veteran played a practice match against Somerset in Pakistan’s ongoing tour of England. Akhtar was not up to the mark. He went for almost 7.00 runs per over and was not even allowed to finish his ten over spell, as limited over skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 feared a close finish. Pakistan was able to secure a win over the English A team by just 8 runs.
Millions of people in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 have been devastated and displaced by unprecedented Monsoon flooding. Cricket is considered next to a religion in the region, thus millions of Pakistan fans see cricket as a source of respite and hope their international superstars perform at their best. The young side is already backed by senior batsman Mohammad Yousuf, and Akhtar is expected to support the bowling attack.
Pakistani cricket is known for having World-class bowling attacks but due to the recent match-fixing scandal the visitors would be without two top bowlers, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir. To top it all, the team’s other key bowlers, Umar Gul and Wahab Riaz might not play at Cardiff on the 5th of September 2010, due to injuries suffered during training sessions.
However, as the saying goes, it takes a great bowler just one good over to comeback into form. The Pakistani squad will be hoping the Rawalpindi Express comes good and takes wickets. Akhtar will have to meet high expectations, as Pakistan’s team is under pressure on and off the field.
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