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| Shoaib Akhtar |
Colombo: Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar, nicknamed the Rawalpindi Express, will retire from international cricket after the World Cup. The 35 year-old has taken 178 wickets in 46 Test matches, 247 in 163 ODIs and 19 in 15 Twenty20s. His announcement, in Colombo on Thursday, brings an end to one of the most colourful careers in the sport.
The following are excerpts
When he decided to quit…
Two years back, when I was going through my knee surgery for the fourth time, I decided that 2011 World Cup will be my last. I might have played on for another one or two years, but I wanted to make way for the youngsters.
Any chance of a comeback…
I am not coming back. It’s an emotional decision, there will be a lot memories… Will you make me cry now?
Team not wanting him…
Nothing like that. It’s my personal decision. Obviously I consulted with Intikhab Alam before the New Zealand tour. I had a discussion with Afridi and Aaqib Javed. It was my wish to retire after this World Cup. There is no rift. I have told the team management that from this day, I will give extra effort to bring glory to Pakistan. With every ounce of the blood in my body I will serve my country. Whether I play or not that’s up to the management. I am working hard, and, even today, I am focusing on the Australia match. If I get a chance I will serve my country to the best of my abilities. If I don’t play I will make sure that every guy gets my help. If nothing is left I will carry water to the field!
How his teammates reacted …
Obviously sadness is there. The players knew it was coming but they were not ready to believe it. They love me and I love them. They were sad but they were also happy for me. This is my decision and I hope I am setting a good trend.
His fitness…
I have never been the fittest man. I always played through pain. You can say I have always been half-unfit. I have never been a guy who can play five ODIs on the trot. But as of now I am feeling good, have been bowling 10 overs. In the last one year I have played almost all the ODIs and have bowled my quota of overs in all kind of situations.
Whether injuries hampered his career…
Injuries did affect my career. The hypermobility in my joints have cost me a lot of Test matches. But I never said ‘no’ to Pakistan. Even with horrifying pain I represented my country.
Any regrets
There are no regrets. I have countless victories and memorable moments.
The most memorable moment…
When I got selected for the Pakistan team. I could not believe that someone like me could ever play for this great team. You won’t believe when I got my first Pakistan shirt I wore it for three days!
On the fastest delivery — bowled to Nick Knight during the 2003 World Cup…
I have bowled a few 100-mile deliveries before that, but unfortunately those didn’t get accepted. I wanted to cross the 100-mile barrier in an ICC event. I am glad that Rawalpindi can boast of having had the fastest bowler on the planet.
On his best moments…
Some of my best moments in international cricket came in India and also while playing back home. The first over I bowled in front of my home crowd. The Calcutta Test in 1999. I got Sachin and Rahul out.
Controversies playing a big role in his career…
I don’t know, perhaps that’s how it was supposed to happen in my life. There were a few moments but that’s just a part of life. It’s a process you have to go through. And you grow out of it and you turn 35 and you become mature.
On the players he enjoyed bowling against
Loved bowling against Adam Gilchrist. He was very tough. Ricky Ponting is another. He has so much ability. I wish he plays for Australia for some more time. But my favourite is Brian Lara. He was so elegant that I lost myself in his elegance. But I have a regret… I could never bowl to Sir Viv Richards.
How he wants to be remembered…
As a guy who was patriotic and honest. A guy who was always been there through the thick and the thin. Pain or no pain, I never worried about getting myself injured. On numerous times, I had so many injuries but I still carried on playing for Pakistan. I never said ‘no’ and will never say ‘no’ to Pakistan. Pakistan is my greatest passion.
