Shoaib Akhtar to retire after WC 2011

Yup Sam, he will be missed. There were many ups and downs in his life. Though he was a bit hyper but he was very patriotic and hard working and this is what you should possess when you are serving your country at an international level. During his press conference he said," Mentally I wanted to continue perhaps forever". This line alone shows his love for his country. Good luck Shoaib for your future

Agreed with Clobber- One of the best bowlers of all time? No

One the premier fast men of his time? Yes

I would go as far as saying really for me the man who was the face of express bowling, He was the first to pass the 100mph don't forget. (I havent watched cricket long enough too know other quickies of the past)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzHCkV-Q5do&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQlpeSLWC0g

Two of my favorites from the Rawalpindi Express!! I was there at the Colombo test - he was absolutely at his brutal best.

A test average of 25.69 and an ODI average of 24.97 is better than most other "all time greats". Also the reason why I said it was when Shoaib Akhtar used to be in his rhythm there was no way in hell that the batsmen were able to survive. He was simply unplayable when at his best, he had that ability to win games single handedly on any type of surface against any batting attack. Moreover his performances have mostly come in a period when PAK have mostly struggled to perform and win games, which means he often did it in a "catch up" job or being under pressure.

All the above points, in my view, make Shoaib eligible for the "all time greats" list.

I think he would be more remembered for being a "bad boy" than his bowling, although I'm not disputing his talent. He definitely is a talented player but he's not one of those all time legends in the cricketing world.

Shoaib at his "peak" was among the deadliest bowlers of his times. Announced himself to world cricket with a loud bang. Loud enough to get ppl comparing him with the many greats that his country had produced. He had every thing that a fast bowler could have dreamt of, the pace, screeching yorkers and bouncers, excellent slower one. Some of the best youtube moments and wickets that bowlers aspire of. Someone with such abilities is truly a captain's delight, but the fact that he was, a lot of times, a pain in the captain's bottom proved to be a hindrance in his growth as a player.
So has he done enough to be up there among the all-time greats. Before I get to that lets find what Shoaib thinks of it. During a recent interview in his own admission he says that he would've ended a much better bowler had he been under the guidance of an Imran khan. Clearly shows that he wasn't impressed with his career and that he didn't fulfill his potential, which is exactly what I believe.
 He was a no doubt a fantastic bowler with all the talent required to be a great but yet, for mine, has failed to make that transcend from a very good to a great bowler, which could be due to lack of fitness or discipline or maybe the mental strength or hunger or as he had indirectly pointed to he wasn't handled well enough by his skippers probably a bit of all. But in the end he just didn't make the cut.
The fact that he though he needed someone like an Imran to be able to push to the next level too doesn't augur too well. Get over it man, not everyone's gonna that lucky. If you were truly hungry and mentally strong you wouldn't need an Imran to show the path but would've found it on your own.
Perhaps wasn't destined to be right up there, but no doubt has given us a lot of unbelievable, mind-boggling, full of awe moments. Hats off man, you've truly entertained (both on and off the field) us all.  Wish you all the luck.


Edited by vote4peace - 21 March 2011 at 8:37am

Hey Thanx Sam!! Appreciate the comments. Enjoyed my experience, thus far, in the forum. 

Agreed with Sam and Spin, I Enjoy reading his postss!! :)

Wasted talent if you ask me. I think Dale Steyn and Waqar are the only modern day bowler with better strike rates. His style just wasn't built for test cricket, just ask Shaun Tait who is now officially a T20 specialist!

He was a fastest bowler no doubt about it. But feels bad, that he earned a reputation of being involved in various controversies.


Edited by Andrew_Wood_CW - 21 April 2011 at 12:58pm