The tribunal has come up with a decision...and I cant help appreciate the GUTS. The board has finally shown some backbone and come up with a strong decision which will have great results for the future....
Shoaib Akhtar banned for 2 years and Muhammad Asif for 1 year. No matter what people say...Akhtar hasnt been my pick for the Paki cricket team ever. Its not only talent that should make you part of a team. Representing your country means much more than that which I dont think he ever realized. He should ve rather gone for a Individual Sport such as tennis, golf or something. A team game like cricket requires a team attitude which he never had.
I am very very happy on the Shoaib decision. With the limited cricket he has already played in 10 years, 2 years from his life might as well end his career...and am glad. We can do without Shoaib controversies for sure. Bowling action problems, ball tampering, indiscipline and now drugs?? Please let us be Mr. Shoaib.
Just barging into the team and claiming a spot without playing much domestic cricket, not proving himself after an injury for example, he has not only destroyed the image of our team but also wasted so much talent that should have got more chance in the team. All is not lost however and a lot of young talent will gain big time confidence from this. The next two years should be golden years to actually find great replacements for Wasim & Waqar a bit more seriously.
Speaking of great replacements, there is Muhammad Asif. I would definitely call this unfortunate that he had to come under the limelight of Shoaib and he picked up the wrong guidance here. A victim of circumstances. Anyway, it should be a lesson well learnt and at only 23 he has a long way to go. He has to stay focused for the next year, keep training and improving. Hopefully we dont see a gain in weight in the next year. The team and management needs to help him with that even though he wont play any cricket. He is the future. This next year should make him a better person and hopefully we wont lose our version of McGrath in the making.
It might sound all glum at the moment with the world cup around the corner but I never believed that Shoaib could bring us the CUP anyway. Asif is a loss but cricket is a team game. This decision is in good enough time to prepare for the world cup in 4 months time. 2 Good series coming up with West Indies and South Africa for experimenting. Dont be surprised if at least 2 new fast bowlers are tested out during the two series. A name I am looking forward to is Samiullah Niazi. Never watched him bowl but have heard big things about him. Lets see.
With Woolmer as coach another all rounder might be in the making as well. Maybe a well known name, the South African Nemesis, Azhar Mahmood. You never know. He would be a welcome addition from my perspective. Lots of work for the Coach up ahead.
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