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Peter Roebuck lays into Akhtar & his scandalous career


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http://www.smh.com.au/news/cricket/why-shoaib-akhtar-should-never-again-set-foot-on-a-cricket-pitch/2007/03/01/1172338793550.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 THANK goodness Shoaib Akhtar has been ruled out of the World Cup. He will not be missed. He does not belong on a cricket field anywhere, let alone representing his country in the game's most prestigious event. An impostor whose reputation relies on a handful of bursts spread over a career lasting a decade, he has been more trouble than he is worth. No captain, no team, has ever been able to rely on him. Throughout, Akhtar has been more interested in the glamour than the graft. His image as a charming rogue conceals an outlook that has damaged the reputation of every team he has represented. Far from sustaining a great tradition of fast bowling in his country, he has undermined it. Worse, he has taken emerging players with him. Now he has been exposed as a drug cheat. The game is up. It's always worth looking at a player's history. Hansie Cronje's decline began well before the bookies. Akhtar's failed drugs test was merely the latest episode in a career notable for its want of scruple. Over the years he has also been suspected of throwing, and worse. His devastating burst against the Australians in Colombo a few years ago was as illegal as it was theatrical. Repeatedly the speedster moved wide of the crease to unleash inswinging thunderbolts with an open chest. Admittedly, Akhtar has an unusually flexible elbow that bends well beyond the straight. Suffice it to say that he took full advantage of his attribute. This was merely one instance. Whereas Brett Lee worked hard to correct flaws detected in his action, Akhtar refused to change. Akhtar's willingness to mess with the ball was evident in the same contest. Although they were loath to admit it, the umpires repeatedly scrutinised the ball and were clearly unhappy with its condition. Subsequently Akhtar's county colleagues talked openly about the methods he used to disrupt the ball. No wonder umpires keep a wary eye on his comrades. Darrell Hair might have overstepped the mark at The Oval but his concerns were well founded. Akhtar's doomed attempt to take part in the forthcoming World Cup was the last straw. Everyone has been blaming the ICC and Pakistani authorities for the debacle that followed the failed drug tests, especially the overturning of the bans by a dimwitted court of appeal. Although it seems to have escaped the attention of our discredited government and especially its senior law officers, democracies are committed to due process. Akhtar was entitled to his day in court and those responsible were bound to accept the verdict. Clearly, stronger international structures are needed. At least the Pakistanis tested for drugs, a duty not yet undertaken by several other Test-playing nations. And at least the ICC found a way to scare Akhtar enough to convince him to withdraw. But let us not dwell upon the inefficiencies of the system. Akhtar is the culprit. At the first time of asking - it was the first test to which Pakistani players had been subjected - high levels of nandrolone were found in his system. Recreational drugs are none of sport's business but steroids must be stamped out. Cheats must not prosper. Akhtar was exposed. That the same performance-enhancing substance was also detected in the bloodstream of a junior colleague made matters even worse. Now Asif, too, must miss the World Cup, the first of his young career. Akhtar was supposed to set a proper example. Last week Akhtar flew to London, ostensibly to see specialists about various ailing limbs. Sceptics claimed he was merely avoiding further official examinations. He could not afford to be caught again and reputedly want to check his levels. A lifetime ban awaits second offenders. Private tests must have confirmed his fears. The nandrolone had lingered. Evidently, Asif faced the same predicament. It's amazing that both men should be forced to withdraw at the same time. Akhtar says his injuries have not healed enough to allow him to play. His mother may believe him. Far from capturing the imagination as a swashbuckling paceman, Akhtar swiftly deteriorated into a strutting caricature. It is high time stumps were called on an increasingly demeaning contribution. Barely a month ago Akhtar took the new ball for his country. It was enough to make the stomach churn. Not that he lasted the entire match. A lot about Akhtar's attitude, not to mention his fitness, could be told from his slow trudge back to his distant mark. The prospect of him appearing at any stage of the World Cup was bad enough. The thought of him opening the bowling in the final was offensive. Thankfully it is not going to happen. It is to be hoped that Akhtar never again darkens fields he was supposed to illuminate.
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Re: Peter Roebuck lays into Akhtar & his scandalous career If Roebuck has this to say about akhtar , then i am very keen on knowing his opinion on another player -- Shane warne. He has accused akhtar of being a cheat and taking drugs , interested only on promoting his self - image and setting a bad example for others. In that sense, Warne is not much better either. He took banned weight loss diuretics on the pretext that his mom gave it to him , has been a bad example off the field , splitting with his family and having a bad-boy image. He even sold pitch and match information to an indian bookie. So does that make his record any less special ???? Its a common trend for all of these western columnists to target asian cricketers who are specially talented. ( Remember Murali ?? ) Akhtar is one the best fast bowlers this world has produced and just the sight of him running in is truly awe inspiring !! Yes , he has done certain wrong things , but to discredit his entire career like this is pure prejudice.

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Re: Peter Roebuck lays into Akhtar & his scandalous career

If Roebuck has this to say about akhtar , then i am very keen on knowing his opinion on another player -- Shane warne. He has accused akhtar of being a cheat and taking drugs , interested only on promoting his self - image and setting a bad example for others. In that sense, Warne is not much better either. He took banned weight loss diuretics on the pretext that his mom gave it to him , has been a bad example off the field , splitting with his family and having a bad-boy image. He even sold pitch and match information to an indian bookie. So does that make his record any less special ???? .
Spot on :wtg:
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Re: Peter Roebuck lays into Akhtar & his scandalous career Roebuck is a very loose cannon and his comments should be taken with a pinch of salt. He has long rooted issue with Pakistan players. Make no mistake most cricket writers look up to Roebuck as their idol though.

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Re: Peter Roebuck lays into Akhtar & his scandalous career

If Roebuck has this to say about akhtar , then i am very keen on knowing his opinion on another player -- Shane warne. He has accused akhtar of being a cheat and taking drugs , interested only on promoting his self - image and setting a bad example for others. In that sense, Warne is not much better either. He took banned weight loss diuretics on the pretext that his mom gave it to him , has been a bad example off the field , splitting with his family and having a bad-boy image. He even sold pitch and match information to an indian bookie. So does that make his record any less special ???? Its a common trend for all of these western columnists to target asian cricketers who are specially talented. ( Remember Murali ?? ) Akhtar is one the best fast bowlers this world has produced and just the sight of him running in is truly awe inspiring !! Yes , he has done certain wrong things , but to discredit his entire career like this is pure prejudice.
I agree. Akhtar in tests has been pretty good for Pak. He has had fitness and attitude problems yes, and chucks whenever he doesn't get his way, but when he doesn't chuck and is fit, is a treat to watch.
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Re: Peter Roebuck lays into Akhtar & his scandalous career Roebuck has an axe to grind, what a waste of column space. Akhtar had his flaws; but he is still one of the best Pakistan has and ever will produce. There is no way one can denigrate the contribution he made to p aki cricket.

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