Karachi: Pakistan's former Test captain Zaheer Abbas feels controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was now mere a shadow a himself and advises him to retire from international cricket.

Zaheer pointed out that Shoaib had been struggling for fitness and with disciplinary problems for the last two and a half years and he was not his former self as a bowler at all.

"It is obvious now after watching him bowl in the first two matches that he is neither fit and he is struggling to cope with the demands of international cricket," Zaheer said.

"He has failed to deliver for Pakistan for a while now and I think it is best he retires and allows a younger bowler to take his place in the team," the former batsman said.

He was critical of the fact that by playing Shoaib the Pakistan team management were depriving a fitter and more penetrative bowler to represent the country which is harmful to the team.

The fast bowler has also come in for critical comments from other ex-skippers Rameez Raja and Waqar Younis, who are commentating on the one-day series against Australia on television while legendary Imran Khan has rued that Shoaib had not done justice to his full potential as a bowler as yet.

Shoaib has gone wicketless in the first two games against Australia and in his last four matches for the national team.

Abbas advises Akhtar to retire | News - CRICKET NIRVANA - Soul of Indian Cricket

made him to sit today means hes unfit :S

what abt rao O_o

Man former players are killing him right and left... CRAP

Ex-Pak stars want Shoaib Akhtar to quit

Karachi: Pakistan's former Test captain Zaheer Abbas feels controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is now a mere shadow of himself and advises him to retire from international cricket. Zaheer pointed out that Shoaib had been struggling for fitness and with disciplinary problems for the last two and a half years and he was not his former self as a bowler at all.

"It is obvious now after watching him bowl in the first two matches that he is neither fit and he is struggling to cope with the demands of international cricket," Zaheer said. "He has failed to deliver for Pakistan for a while now and I think it is best he retires and allows a younger bowler to take his place in the team," the former batsman said.

He was critical of the fact that by playing Shoaib the Pakistan team management were depriving a fitter and more penetrative bowler to represent the country which is harmful to the team.

The fast bowler has also come in for critical comments from other ex-skippers Rameez Raja and Waqar Younis, who are commentating on the One-Day series against Australia on television while legendary Imran Khan has rued that Shoaib had not done justice to his full potential as a bowler as yet.

Shoaib has just one wicket to his credit without completing 10 overs in either of his last four matches. Disciplinary and fitness problems have seen Shoaib play just 12 of his country's last 71 ODIs before the start of the Australia series.

But Chief Selector Abdul Qadir jumped to Shoaib's defence insisting that it was not important that Shoaib had not taken any wickets in the first two games against Australia. "We are not worried that he is not taking wickets the main thing is that he is playing and he is working hard. He played despite some viral infection problem and that means he has spirit and the keenness to play for the team," Qadir said.

The former Test leg-spinner said given Shoaib's experience it would not be long before he started taking wickets. "The main thing we are concerned with at the moment is that he continues to play consistently over a period of matches which will prove his fitness to us," he added.

Qadir said Zaheer's comments and advise to the bowler to retire were unjust and a hard one. "I think we need to be a bit patient with Shoaib there is no doubt he is trying hard to comeback strongly and it is not easy bowling in the conditions in Dubai," he said.
Ex-Pak stars want Shoaib Akhtar to quit | News - CRICKET NIRVANA - Soul of Indian Cricket

Big fan of Shoaib Akhtar but watching him bowl in the last 2 matches, he barely bowled above 140 and was not really a threat. I hope he can still improve but a part of me feels this is the end of his career...

It's not attacking someone if they are giving advise.

Akhtar is done guys, stop relishing on the past and continue with the young players.

now dat hes back on track and can concentrate on his cricket u guys telling him to retire dats not right give him more chances i am sure he will comeback

Lets be realistic. Can we expect someone who hasnt played consistently for the last 3 years and has not played at all in 2008 to immediately come in and hit 155 km/hr? Please answer this question very honestly and sincerely.

agree with zaheer

What did he do wrong?

he is a sucky bowler now don't need him and it's his age to retire

retire???
who u goin to replace him with???
he might not have the speed but he has experience and apparently he can bat better than our all rounders tanvir n yasir

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So its also time for Younis, Misbah and Yousuf to retire?

Sorry but you aint making much sense.