Shoaib Akhtar announces retirement from international cricket after ICC World Cup 2011
Pakistan speedster http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shoaib-Akhtar-c90080 has revealed that he will retire from international cricket at the end of the ICC World Cup 2011.
He announced his decision to the team on Thursday while practising at the R Premadasa Stadium in Sri Lanka.
The veteran fast bowler was struggling for his form and fitness over the last few years. However, he finally proved that he was fit enough to represent his team and was selected in the World Cup squad as a leading bowler of the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 team.
The ongoing World Cup has been a mixed one for Shoaib so far. The express fast bowler did well in the initial games for his team, especially in the match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758. He did well with the new ball against the host team, and came back in the middle
overs to bowl out Mahela Jayawardene with one of the best deliveries of the tournament.
Growing in confidence, the Rawalpindi express had a tremendous start to the game against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kamran-Akmal-c70122 dented his confidence and he was pounded for 28 runs in the final over he bowled in the
match.
Shoaib was rested for Pakistan’s next match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/March-c74391.
The 35-year-old quick has featured in 19 World Cup matches in his career so far, and has scalped 30 wickets at an average of 25.50. His World Cup debut was in 1999 when he took 16 wickets and guided his team to the final.
One of the most memorable performances of Shoaib was against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rahul-c83321 Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar by bowling two consecutive yorkers. His pace and reverse swing was too hot to handle for most of his opponents.
Shoaib is just three away from completing 250 One Day International wickets, and the ongoing World Cup will be the best time to achieve this feat.
Although controversies, injuries and ill discipline have been a part of Shoaib’s career, the fast bowler will be missed by millions of his fans worldwide. He will definitely be remembered as one of the most deadly fast bowlers of all time.
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