Malik questions Shoaib's commitment

[Fontaine]

http://content-www.cricinfo.com/pakvsl/content/current/story/387334.html Malik questions Shoaib's commitment Osman Samiuddin at the National Stadium January 21, 2009 Shoaib Akhtar conceded 88 runs off 13 overs in the back-to-back games against Sri Lanka in Karachi, taking only one wicket © AFP In the most significant statement of his captaincy thus far, Shoaib Malik has effectively put a question mark over the international future of Shoaib Akhtar, openly doubting his fitness and commitment in the field. Younger fast bowlers impressing on the domestic circuit, said Malik, should now be given a chance to prepare Pakistan for the future. Malik was speaking after Pakistan's 129-run loss to Sri Lanka in the second ODI in Karachi, in which Shoaib failed to complete his full quota of ten overs for the second game running. After bowling seven expensive overs in the first ODI yesterday, Shoaib delivered six largely ineffective and costly overs today. He struggled in the field, generally appearing listless and often unwilling to chase down balls. The performance clearly incensed Malik, who vented his frustrations after the match. Asked whether it was time Pakistan planned for the World Cup 2011 and looked beyond Shoaib, Malik said: "We have to move forward. There are a number of good fast bowlers around on the domestic scene and they deserve a chance. I will take this up with the selectors and team management and these things will be kept in mind." The unusually frank response led predictably to a volley of Shoaib-related questions. Generally a man of few words and often with little patience for persistent reporters, Malik responded to every query, with the same, basic underlying message: that he [shoaib] lacked fitness and that cricket no longer was so accommodating to passengers in the field. "If you look at his performances and record and matches he has won, there is no question over his effectiveness," Malik said. "But the question is over 100% fitness. Cricket has changed and if you aren't 100% fit then it is difficult." All the noises before the series had suggested Shoaib was fit. He had been bowling in domestic tournaments, both in the Pentangular ODI Cup and the four-day Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. His selection, Malik said, was justified, but it may not be in the future. "He was working hard, bowling in first-class matches so it was justified picking him. But we have good fast bowlers around and there is competition. In future, you won't just get picked if you are fit." He has the ability to bowl 10 overs but the question mark is over maintaining speeds through 10 overs and the determination we want in the field over 50 overs The first ODI was Shoaib's first 50-over international in 14 months and back-to-back matches were always going to test his fitness. It showed today in his bowling speeds, which rarely ventured over 140kph. Malik said he had resisted from bowling Shoaib out yesterday with today's game in mind, but was concerned about the dip in speeds. "He has the ability to bowl 10 overs but the question mark is over maintaining speeds through 10 overs and the determination we want in the field over 50 overs." Asked specifically whether he had seen the required commitment from Shoaib over the two matches, Malik was damning. "Everyone can see what is out there. The ability to bowl ten overs is there but the commitment in fielding that I want wasn't there." The comments come at a critical time in Shoaib's career. After a stellar winter season in 2005-06, injury, fitness, doping issues and persistent run-ins with the administration have reduced him to a peripheral player, playing just four Tests and 11 ODIs since February 2006. But he remains a big personality. The timing of Malik's remarks are also significant. Since taking over as captain in May 2007, reports of dissent between him and a clique of senior players have been ever-present. Mohammad Yousuf, now an ICL player, has come out in public and it has always been thought Shoaib was part of the dissatisfied group as well. Despite this, Malik refused to entirely rule out dropping Shoaib for the final ODI of the series. "Maybe he has a problem and that is why he wasn't running in the field," he said. "The 15-man squad is there but you can't also just have a new guy come in to such an important game." Osman Samiuddin is Pakistan editor of Cricinfo

[Macj]

:haha::haha::haha::haha::haha: Just love this, the more infighting the weaker the team. A weak Pakistan is a great feeling.

[Anakin]

Who hasn't questioned his commitments?

[Dinx - the Jinx]

Here goes the fuse of Paki cricket again... It would have been better if they spent another year without playing any cricket

[SachDan]

Pak team in doldrums :yay::yay:

[Dinx - the Jinx]

Pak team in doldrums :yay::yay:

when did they ever step out of it?:hysterical:

[DomainK]

Very inyeristing. But why the drama in front of the media. The captain could have and should have discussed this with the board and the selectors. Blaming and criticizing a team member in the open in the middle of a series is not a great idea for a captain. In fact he should be defending his team. Thats a part of his job as a leader.

[punjabi_khota]

Very inyeristing. But why the drama in front of the media. The captain could have and should have discussed this with the board and the selectors. Blaming and criticizing a team member in the open in the middle of a series is not a great idea for a captain. In fact he should be defending his team. Thats a part of his job as a leader.

Arre bhai Indian subcontinent mein press ke saamne drama na ho to mazza thode aata hai

[Fontaine]

Very inyeristing. But why the drama in front of the media. The captain could have and should have discussed this with the board and the selectors. Blaming and criticizing a team member in the open in the middle of a series is not a great idea for a captain. In fact he should be defending his team. Thats a part of his job as a leader.

I'd say Malik has discussed this with the board before but they didn't agree with him. After all when did the PCB exclude any pak bowler from the team if he was unfit, doping or cheating? It didn't stop them before and it's certainly not going to stop them now. What ends up happening is that somehow a repot goes "missing" like the one about Asif's immediate detention in the airport and the PCB just ignore the matter and hope it goes away. I'd say Malik was frustrated after the board continued to tolerate this fool and vented in the media so he can get some public pressure onto the PCB to force them to drop Akhtar.

[EnterTheVoid]

haha - the tamasha never stops in the sub ontinent whats with all the brew - ha ha over shoaib's ommittment? The way I remember, its been that way sine he made his debut anyone remeber aloo's omments during the 004 test series when shoaib, apprarently ouldn't bowl beause of bak spasms, but than omes to to briefly art all our bowlers round the ground? Word is, he made up BS to avoid bowling n the heat. If that's the yardstik you use to define a ommitted bowler, than every friggin bowler india has ever produed goes into that list

[Fontaine]

haha - the tamasha never stops in the sub ontinent whats with all the brew - ha ha over shoaib's ommittment? The way I remember, its been that way sine he made his debut anyone remeber aloo's omments during the 004 test series when shoaib, apprarently ouldn't bowl beause of bak spasms, but than omes to to briefly art all our bowlers round the ground? Word is, he made up BS to avoid bowling n the heat. If that's the yardstik you use to define a ommitted bowler, than every friggin bowler india has ever produed goes into that list

Well apparently Shoaib Malik said Akhtar's fielding was obviously lacking in commitment and he hasn't managed to bowl a full ten overs. I didn't see the match but it's pretty damning when the captain makes such claims publicly. I fully expect Shoaib to reciprocate and start full drama himself to the media starting with "Meh kommi bowler hoo oar mujhe is therike se treat cur rehe hein!!"

[Ram]

As the saying goes 'The fan has hit the roof'... Contrary to what some dumb Pakistanis still think, Shoaib is not a big match-winner. He's in fact a dead-weight that the team has been crippled with, whenever he has played. At its best, his bowling is decent, but the problem is, he is rarely at his best. So, for the rest of the time, its a combination of short-spells of erratic fast bowling, then breaking down, many times on the field itself. This is followed by the usual doze of superman statements in the press. Technically, Indian fans should be worried about what Malik is saying, coz the moment they get rid of Shoaib for good, their team will be 10 times better and more efficient.

[EnterTheVoid]

I am waiting to see how long before Miandad comes out with the magic solution, always seems to do so after a bad loss ^Marirs, all the points you mentioned about Aktor can also be applied to afridi. These bozo's are getting by because of their "name"

[Pak_Forever]

It's not as big of a news as you guys have made it out to be. Malik is just being frank. Akthar is aging and is not the same old fiery speedster. He rarely delivers those old thunderbolts.And when we got other youngster like Sohail Khan and Mohammad Talha who got a great domestic record and can easily bowl 90+, Akthar's spot will raise some questions. PCB should only use him in Test as he has always been more successful in Test than ODIs. His fitness is the biggest concern, if he could lose some more weight and improves his fitness then he should only play Test, if his body doesn't allow then he should hang his boots.

[swami1984]

if sachin is the durable volvo of batsmen, then shoaib would be the saab of bowlers (frequent breakdowns, some occasional output)

[Macj]

if sachin is the durable volvo of batsmen' date=' then shoaib would be the saab of bowlers (frequent breakdowns, some occasional output)[/quote'] Shoaib is a Datsun......IOW a fossil that still claims to be a menacing dinosaur.

[ludhianvi]

in b4 bat swing :angelic:

[DomainK]

I think pakistanis have this habit of creating heros and holding on to them tilll long after they have expired. The biggest examples are Afridi and Actor. Afridi played 2/3 good innings and enjoyed a life long stardom and a guaranteed place in the team. I have not seen a more selfish player than Afridi- who always thought that hitting a six is better than winning a match. Such an idiot can only carry on in the Pakistani team. And Shoaib Akhtar also, in any other team, would have been dropped long ago- for doping or performance or fitness or bwhavior. But in Pakistan he has got immunity. We indians have akso got that nature to an extent...... but i think the pakistanis have crossed all limits. They need to wake up, relize that Actor is past it and find a good replacement. Get rid of garbage like akmal also and get someone decent behind the stumps for tests. Get rid of crap Afridi and find a decent all rounder/bowler.

[EnterTheVoid]

^^ But, how you an diss afridi, brah? you need the beast, the ox, and a pakistan without afridi is like a ar without an engine Thats atually better than a ar with a dodgy engine, as you are in two minds whether to keep it or 'sruff' it, pun intended I am atually surprised that this unfit, unomitted, lazy bozo is leading the pae attak. After all the rhetori about bringing youth into the side, they still stuk with the old farts. From India's perspetive, the 007 w served as a good wake up all. That world uo where we were humiliated by a bunh of teenagers ated as a atalyst for hange in indian ricket, muh of it for the better ps: the 'c' key on my keyboard doesnt work

[sandtest]

Malik is jealous of Shoaibs tall and masculine looks which characterises a true martial race mard, which Malik can only dream of! Now, Akhtar has every right to question Malik's intentions.:two_thumbs_up: