Pak India Zone: Shoaib Akhtar Retirement from international cricket

Pakistan team welcomes Shoaib Akhtar’s retirement from international cricket

Cricketing ranks in Pakistan have welcomed Shoaib Akhtar’s decision to retire from international cricket after the ICC World Cup 2011.

Akhtar told his teammates earlier on Thursday that he will quit international cricket after the mega event because of fitness concerns.

The Rawalpindi Express is having a mixed tournament so far as he bowled splendidly well in Pakistan’s triumph against Sri Lanka and in the first spell against New Zealand.

However, he conceded 28 runs in his last over against the Kiwis where he bowled some waist height full-tosses which were not difficult for Ross Taylor to hit out of the park.

He was unlucky not to have Taylor caught behind twice as Kamran Akmal was not able to grab on the opportunities but Shoaib was dropped for the game against Zimbabwe because of that one poor over at the depth of the innings.

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi praised Akhtar as a teammate and said that he has always worked hard for the team.

Afridi said, “We feel sad for Akhtar as he has been a very nice team-mate and we'll always remember him as someone who always tried hard for the team and every player thanks him.”

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis said that Akhtar has set a good example for the senior players as his retirement means that the youngsters will get the chance and the Pakistan team can look forward.

“I played with him and then coached him. He has been a great bowler for the country and served the team well. It is a nice way to leave the place for youngsters and that's something we must appreciate,” Younis said.

The fastest bowler of the modern era has had a career full of controversies and fitness problems but he has been a genuine match winner for Pakistan over the years.

Pakistan selectors have been heavily criticised since the last couple of years for selecting the fast bowler because he has been carrying a lot of injuries. He had to cut down his bowling run up in Pakistan’s tour of England because of the knee problem. Even with all the injuries and controversies, there is no doubt that Shoaib has been a great servant of Pakistan cricket.