Shoaib Akhtar – the in-form Rawalpindi Express and the nagging worries of Boom Boom Afridi
The Rawalpindi Express is surely making a desperate attempt to mark a comeback in the Pakistan cricket squad. His recent performances do speak volumes of his commitment to this cause. All this follows after a spate of scandals and controversies led to him being axed from the national side. After having flirted with his chances at making a career out of Bollywood, the 35-year-old, who might have gained a few pounds of weight, can surely still bowl fast.
However, having amended his long run up and substituting it with a short one, Shoaib Akhtar might still be in the process of self discovery. His focus has been more on line and length rather than sheer pace during the England series. This particular combination has given some tough time to the English batsmen, who have of late found their real form. With the likes of Jonathan Trott, Eoin Morgan, Andrew Strauss and the new wicketkeeper, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SM-Davies-c2542, their side surely has been giving much trouble to a controversy ridden Pakistan side.
But in the midst of all this controversy, we find the Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi truly making an effort to find focus and rhythm for the relatively young Pakistan side. In the last two ODI’s, Pakistan has given a much needed fight against England, and despite the icy waters that this team may find themselves in, their performance is surely commendable.
As the 2011 World Cup draws near, there is a dire need for the side to find their lost form and to recover from the shock of a spot fixing scandal that has resulted in the suspension of three of Pakistan’s key players, two of them being the finest bowling duo in the world of cricket today. With their future unclear, there is an urgent need for Pakistan to find a suitable bowling pair in case they find the bowling duo banned over the match fixing controversy.
Akhtar, being one of the most senior players in the side along with Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Yousaf, is doing his bit to attack the English batting line up with impeccable line and length making him very economical in the first few games that Pakistan has played against England. These include two T20s and two ODIs, both of which Pakistan went on to lose.
However, it is not the loss that matters but rather how well the team has performed and certainly Pakistan did do its bit to make the ODIs a fighting contest. Trouble always seems lurking behind the shadows for this side as Mohammad Irfan, who flew in to join the Pakistan side for the ODIs, found himself battling with fitness issues so his bowling performance was far from satisfactory.
Abdul Razzaq, the other option for the Pakistan side has also been facing fitness issues, and therefore, he didn’t prove to be a feasible option for the side. That leaves the team with the alternative of either Wahab Riaz or http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Yasir-Arafat-c98241, both of whom have had their share of chances with the Pakistan side. Still, Pakistan must not expect them to replicate the fiery display of bowling of Asif or Amir. Meanwhile, Umer Gul, on his day can be brilliant, but he has failed to find his best form in the ODIs against England.
To say the least, given the extremely limited bowling options for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Green-c60723’s performance in the ODIs has certainly been good to say the least. One more thing that has been missing from the series has been Afridi’s explosive display of batting that could mark the difference between a win or a loss. Nonetheless, Akhtar certainly is one bit of good news for Pakistan having found his form and would not be a nagging worry for the already trouble ridden side.
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