While people are still questioning Surrey’s decision to sign on Shoaib Akhtar, the Pakistan Cricket Board is once again in tussle with the troubled fast bowler, his career with Pakistan now hinging on seven million rupees.
Shoaib Akthar is always one for the tally – the balance is never consistent when he shifts dangerously from asset to liability. The latest hurdle for Akhtar prolonging his cricket career with Pakistan rests with him keeping up his end of the bargain. This hurdle would have surfaced much earlier had the Champions Trophy gone ahead as scheduled. Now it has come up against ahead of a four nation Twenty20 tournament in Canada that will feature Pakistan.
Akhtar has been kept out of the Islamabad team in the national twenty20 tournament and the reason being given is the fact that he is yet to clear the fine imposed on him. While the court reduced the five year ban to eighteen months, it upheld the fine amounting to 105,000 US dollars of seven million rupees. With Mohammad Asif embroiled in a drug controversy net, Akhtar found himself back in contention for the Champions Trophy team from Pakistan. However, even then he was asked to first pay up the fine. The matter appeared to subside with the Champions Trophy being postponed to next year.
Akhtar meanwhile is turning out in Surrey colours not only to help them avoid relegation but also, to prove his fitness, not having played since his IPL stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders. Akhtar’s hearing against the ban was also postponed last week for want of the judge caught up with political duties. Akhtar has been disappointed in the absence of a contract and being offered only a retainer by the PCB. Akhtar also found himself embroiled in controversy talking of people back home who wanted to bring his career down while present in India for a television show.
However, the PCB is adamant that Akhtar should uphold the law and pay up the fine before he can find himself back in the squad. With him out of the Islamabad team, it would have ruled him out in the selection process for the four nation tournament. But Pakistan are keeping the door ajar for him and are hoping he will take the cue and decide on his future, one way or another.
7 million to keep him in contention for the national side. That is hopeless board at display which does not care about making use of whatever is left in him. If he fails to pay this, his name from the IPL season 2 is also out for he would stand where he did the last time around. Where does he get all that money from. Even if he has that much there in his accounts, it would be better to invest that ,money elsewhere and forget about playing. There are a couple of Indian directors ready to cast him in their movies-what say people, that is best bid to get that money!
LOL
Indian movie directors maybe willing to cast him, but honestly who would want to watch him?
I doubt the public, especially Indian public would want to see him on the silver screen. Moreover, have you seen the promos of that cricketers dance contest. Cricket toh khele nai jati, dance karne chale hai!!
Shoaib Akhtar and controversy has a very very close relationship to share. ”Saat janam ka rista he” how can it break so easily? He never wants to chane, instead he is happy that the movie men are interested in him. I just hate the hairstyle he has.
Whether shoaib is now days under controvercy, but we should not forget that he is one of the fastest bowler in the world. PCB should see his case seriously and save a fast bowler’s carrer. whether by nature he is good or bad.
Which Career do you talk about here Bhupinder. He is never played for more than two consecutive seasons for Pakistan. It isn’t a career they have to save, but yes, they can make use of whatever is left in him. And maybe that last burst to redeem him could turn out to be his best and if it happens, Pakistan Cricket surely needs a shot like this in their arm. Hope they listen to us and give him a chance.
Shoaib Akhtar has had his chance at the crease. I think greener pastures await him. I’m sure some bollywood biggie (if not Pakistani producerji) will sign him for an unbelievable amount for a movie.
