Shoaib decides time is right to call quits

COLOMBO, (Reuters) – Pakistan pace bowler Shoaib  Akhtar will retire from international cricket after the World  Cup, closing one of the most colourful careers in the sport.

Shoaib, nicknamed the Rawalpindi Express for his ability to  bowl at high pace, has been one of the most feared fast bowlers  since making his debut in 1997 and at the age of 35, feels it is  the right time to bow out,

Shoaib Akhtar
Shoaib Akhtar

“With this announcement it feels like it’s my first death,”  he told reporters today as Pakistan geared up for their  final Group A match against Australia on Saturday.

“I have taken this decision after much thought.

“Pakistan’s last match in this World Cup will also be my  last. I hope that will be the final on April 2.

“I would have loved to continue, perhaps forever, but I must  make way for the youngsters to take over, ” he added at the R.  Premadasa Stadium in Colombo after the training session.

Clad in a black suit with a light blue shirt, Akhtar was in  a pensive mood throughout the press conference.

“I can’t say I don’t have any regrets,” he said. “I had  decided two years back (when I) was going through knee surgery.  But I wanted to be with the team when it was going through a  difficult time.

“I was planning this for quite some time, right now is the  best time. What I’m going to do next, I’m going to tell you at  my next press conference. I’ll spend time with my family.”

USED SPARINGLY

Akhtar was replaced by fast bowler Wahab Riaz for Pakistan’s  last match against Zimbabwe.

He had conceded 70 runs in nine overs in the 1992 champions’  game against New Zealand, which his team lost by 110 runs.

During the New Zealand match, he clearly showed his  disappointment after wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal dropped centurion  match winner Ross Taylor twice off his sixth over when the  batsman was on zero and eight.

The team coach Waqar Younis said after their seven-wicket  victory over Zimbabwe on Monday that Akhtar should be used for  matches sparingly as he is in his mid 30s.

“I’m working hard, training hard for (upcoming) matches,” an  emotional Akhtar said. “If I get a chance, I will give my best,  but looking forward for what comes up. I will double my fitness  onwards for this World Cup.”

Shoaib burst on to the scene as the fastest bowler of his  generation even though he did not possess the cleanest of  actions.

His long run up — and he defied many a coach to persist  with that — and the albatross-like celebration after every  dismissal made him a spectators’ delight but his temperament  often gave team management headaches.

Ball-tampering allegations, numerous disciplinary issues,  hitting team mate Mohammad Asif with a bat in 2007, doping  accusations and several other controversies and injuries took  the focus away from his often devastating bowling.

Since his debut against West Indies in 1997, the paceman  featured in just 46 test matches, claiming 178 wickets and he  was perceived as vulnerable to the rigours of the game’s longer  version.

He was more of a regular in shorter formats, having played  163 one-day internationals so far, claiming 247 wickets.

His obsession with pace was often perceived as detrimental  to the team’s cause, especially his long run-up which often put  Pakistan at risk of penalty for their slow over rate.

For most part of his career, Akhtar was not considered a  team man and was rather portrayed as the problem child of  Pakistan cricket with a penchant for night life.

Many observers felt, however, that this World Cup had shown  a new, improved attitude from a maturing Shoaib.

“My message to youngsters is don’t give up, don’t give in to  the pressure,” Akhtar said at the end of the press conference.

He was embraced by Pakistan journalists, who thanked him for  his service to the team and the country.