Thursday, December 25, 2008

Shoaib Akhtar Impresses

Although there has been no official word on this, but I hear that Abdul Qadir, the Chief Selector, and other PCB officials are pleased with Shoaib Akhtar's performance and the attitude that he displayed during the RBS Pentangular One Day Cup that concluded last night.

Shoaib, who was leading the Federal Areas Leopards in the competition, ended the tournament with a haul of 7 wickets from 4 matches at an average of 29.57.

Besides his bowling effort, it was his attitude that impressed the concerned more during the competition.

He led the Leopards with authority and discipline and played an instrumenal role in guiding a young team to the finals of the tournament.

People close to the Leopards team mentioned that the players gelled extremely well under Shoaib and that his improved attitude towards team members, especially the younger ones, was a major positive change in him.

Shoaib managed a team comprising of a couple of U19 players, Umar Amin and Afaq Raheem, coupled with some promising players from Islamabad, Babar Naeem, Usman Saeed, an Raheel Majeed, and few international names in Sohail Tanvir, Rao Iftikhar, Yasir Arafat, and Saeed Ajmal.

Qadir in a TV interview recently said that Shoaib had responded well to the added responsibility of captaining a team at the domestic level.

This bodes well for the fast bowler who has been in the midst of a number of disciplinary problems in the past.

On the bowling front, the fact that he managed the remain injury-free during the tournament in which he played 4 matches in 10 days, is an achievement in itself.

He led his team to victory over the Baluchistan Bears with a bowling effort of 4-57 in a league match and later on bowled the crucial penultimate over against the NWFP Panthers when they needed just 3 to win off 12 deliveries.

Shoaib's maiden led the match into the final 6 deliveries and the Leopards scraped through by 1 run and into the final.

Shoaib has been at his best over the last 10 days or so. Whether this is just another temporary phase in his start-stop career or not, is for all of us to witness.

As of now, he has impressed and the concerned people are satisfied.

Lets hope it stays that way.

Make your pitch on this post...



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14 Pitched:

  1. Viswanathan said...
     

    Q,

    Great to hear his success. How about his fitness? Was he able to complete his quota or was he panting?

  2. Q said...
     

    He was fit Ott.. he managed 35 overs in the 4 matches.. twice completing his quota of 10 and bowling 9 and 6 in the other 2 matches.. he didn't bowl a spell longer than 4 overs but thats been a norm for the last decade. Pace was good.. best part is, he didn't break down..

  3. John said...
     

    Fantastic news for whorish thrill-seeking cricket fans like me. But the next morning, sober again, I will feel resentful again and believe that Pak cricket needs to move on from Akthar.

  4. Anonymous said...
     

    Q

    You are right he didn't broke down but his bowling figures were not impressive except for one match.
    I am not sure if it was poor bowling, dead pitch or just great batting, never saw the matches so can't comment.

  5. Damith S. said...
     

    but is this going to be another one of those - he's back! and oh no he's not scenarios, it would be great to see him back in full form.

    however, i do think he shud make his comeback after the sl- pak series. it would be too soon :P

  6. Anonymous said...
     

    Good to hear... Also the bosses are very happy with Akhtar so he is definitely back.

    BTW, What did they do with that huge fine he was supposed to pay?

  7. Q said...
     

    John - I totally understand what ur saying.. its the same for all of us..

  8. Q said...
     

    Wasim, he took 7 wickets in the tournament and the highest wicket taker had 9 so that tells u abt the quality of pitches.. moreover as I said it wasn't his bowling performance but his attitude that impressed throughout the tournament. The way he led his team on the field was outstanding.

    Plus one bowling effort out shone everything else. It was the 49th over of the Panthers innings. They needed 3 runs to win in 12 deliveries to qualify for the final.

    Shoaib Akhtar bowled the 49th over. He bowled a maiden!

    And his team went into the final as Saeed Ajmal picked up the last 2 wickets in the final over.

  9. Q said...
     

    Hahaha wishful thinking Damith - he'll be back for the Lankans ;-)

    For how long though is the million dollar question..

  10. Q said...
     

    Scorps thats still up in the air. The court case is pending so till a decision is reached he doesnt have to pay the fine. If the court overturns the ban then the fine disappears, if it doesnt then he has to pay.

  11. Abdul said...
     

    Hi guys I would like to link up websites as were both Asian based blogs. I'm persoanally a Pakistani though and like your site and it would be extremely grateful u can drop in a few lines as www.freewebs.co/cricfans123

    In return I'll promote well picthed on my site.

    Kind ragrds-Abdul

  12. Abdul said...
     

    sorry about the nsitake in the adress. The corrected version is below

    www.freewebs.com/cricfans123

  13. Q said...
     

    Will blog-roll u soon Abdul..

  14. Anonymous said...
     

    Abdul- wot a crap site you got man!

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