Cricket Bloggers of Pakistan

Cross Posted from Teeth Maestro: In hot news coming in from South Africa where the Pakistan cricket team is in their final preparations for the upcoming Twenty 20 World Cup. Apart from cricketing news it seems two Pakistani fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Asif have made headlines when they have had a war of words in the dressing room leaving some injuries to Asif which were the result of being hit by a bat on the left thigh.

Following the incident Asif was taken for x-rays and was luckily found to have superficial bruising only. If I were Asif my first reaction would be to place this idiot into his right place by suing him for assault. I like many Pakistanis are not surprised to see Shoaib Akhtar making a fuss all over again some how the cricket selectors fail to see the apparent signs of a psychological problems surrounding the fast bowler not recently but can be seen well over two years ago when this blogger categorically discussed this problem

• Shoaib Akhtar in Aussie Bar Party » February 2005
• Pakistani Cricketers Fail Dope Test » October 2006
• Shoaib & Asif Banned » November 2006
• Shoaib – Woolmer Rift Surfaces » November 2006
• Shoaib, The Spit Bull » January 2007

It was in February 2005 that I voiced my concern over Shoaib and a year and half later I can say, I was correct

My opinion on this Heart-throb is that he has an over inflated ego with a major Psychosocial issue and he needs to be placed in the right ‘trash-can’ once healed he should be allowed to resume his bowling, and if by that time we already might have found a new crop of fast bowlers. I have no idea why the BCCP is stuck with this player, he does sometimes get wickets but I feel he is more of a liability than an asset he should be sacked.

Cricinfo news reports writes

Ahsan Malik, the board spokesman currently traveling with the team, confirmed to Cricinfo that an incident had taken place though refused to expand on the details. “There was an incident between Shoaib and Asif in the dressing room soon after practice today. I cannot give any details on the matter. Asif has a bruise on his left thigh but he has had X-rays and has been cleared. He is fine as far as I am aware.

“The team management is carrying out an investigation into the matter and the results are expected tomorrow. We cannot say anything right now about sending players back or replacements,” Malik added.

Whatever the actual detail of the matter, it is likely to have serious repercussions for Shoaib, who is already on probation for a disciplinary breach last month. He was fined for leaving a training camp in Karachi without seeking permission last month, but after two hearings the penalty was suspended and the bowler placed on a six-week probationary period.

My argument has been since long been to get rid of Shoaib Akhtar as he remains more of liability than an asset for the cricket team. Its time to show him the exit door, he deserves a far embarrassing walk on the plank far worse than how PCB mangled Inzamam’s case.

This article at Cricket Bloggers of Pakistan has been composed by Teeth Maestro.

Last few posts by Teeth Maestro

• PCB Disciplines Seven Players - March 11th, 2010
• UAE refuse to revoke Mohammed Asif's BAN - February 8th, 2010
• Khalid Latif assaulted by an Aussie Fan - February 2nd, 2010
• PCB to seek Dubai permit for Asif again - February 2nd, 2010
• We Bite Cricket Balls to Win Matches - Shahid Afridi - February 1st, 2010