Shoaib Akhtar praised http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Brett-Lee-c48419 for his contributions to the game - Cricket News Update
Former Pakistan spearhead http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shoaib-Akhtar-c90080 paid rich tribute to his pace rival Bret Lee, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket.
"Lee was a fierce competitor and became an identity for express bowling with his passion and love for the game and for fast bowling," Akhtar told AFP.
The Pakistani speedster and once the world’s fastest bowler, who also retired last year after the World Cup in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750, was praiseful for the Australian, calling his retirement a sad day for cricket.
"Friday was a sad day for international cricket because a bowler with express pace has retired, someone who was loved by the fans around the world, and he will be missed," former http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 pace man said.
On July 13, the Australian had confirmed his decision, which was precipitated by a calf injury he suffered during his final appearance at http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013.
The fast bowler had initially planned to hang his boots after the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 World T20 in September, but decided that it was the right time for other young Australian fast bowlers to come forward. The pace man has however, expressed his desire to keep playing in the lucrative T20 leagues, IPL and BBL.
Earlier in February 2010, the Aussie speedster had announced his retirement from Test cricket as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746’s fourth highest wicket taker. In his 13-year international career, the veteran played 76 Tests and took 310 wickets (30.81), while collected 380 ODI scalps (23.36) in 221 outings for his team.
Lee’s career was marred by recurring injuries that cut-short a talent destined for greatness. He missed the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean and throughout his career, suffered from ankle, side, abdomen, elbow, foot and back problems.
Akhtar, who shared similar fitness issues during his playing days, exactly know what it takes to be counted among the world’s fastest bowlers while acknowledging the role Lee played for his country and fast bowling.
"Lee gave everything to cricket and was a true Australian: fierce and battle-hardened. He was always willing to bowl and willing to bowl fast and like all the fast bowlers had injuries, which is part and parcel of fast bowling."
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