LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board Chief selector Mohsin Hasan Khan and former one Salahuddin Ahmad Sallu paid lavish tributes to fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar who announced his decision to retire from all cricket after the World Cup on Thursday.
“In my view it’s a good decision by Shoaib. In fact, such examples are very rare in Pakistan that any player has taken such decision on his own,” Mohsin told Dawn on Friday.
“And I wish him all the very best for his future. Every cricketer has to say goodbye to the game at one time or another but I really appreciate who bow out with dignity.”
Mohsin disclosed that Shoaib met up with him before the last Asia Cup, held in Sri Lanka, and requested that he be seriously considered for World Cup selection.
“Shoaib admitted in that meeting that while he has committed many mistakes in the past, he has also put in his best for the country on many occasions and therefore has a right to get selected for the 2011 World Cup,” disclosed Mohsin.
“I told Shoaib that while I respected his wish to serve Pakistan and that he was aiming for a happy ending to his career, he should satisfy team captain (Afridi), coach (Waqar) and the selectors with his fitness which, I must say, he did.
“I am a witness to Shoaib’s hectic efforts for regaining fitness and how he undertook running and physical exercises under scorching heat in the month of June in Lahore. I discussed with PCB chairman Ijaz Butt and also consulted with Afridi and Waqar, who then personally watched Shoaib in action and agreed that he should be given a chance in the mega event,” said Mohsin.
“From then on, Shoaib has played in Asia Cup, the series against England and later against South Africa in Abu Dhabi and now in the World Cup, with his focus and fitness really of top level,” he said. “And as ex-Pakistan cricketer and not as chief selector, I feel lot of respect for Shoaib.”
Mohsin, however, shied away from commenting on the team’s performance in in the World Cup so far as many experts continued to criticise the touring selection committee for its playing XI combination in the matches. “We are under the PCB Code of Conduct and can not give any statement over the World Cup selection or any other aspect,” he clarified.
It may be mentioned here that the critics have been lashing out at the failure of young opener Ahmad Shahzad and the constant sidelining of off-spinner Saeed Ajmal besides demanding promotion of Kamran Akmal and Abdul Razzaq in the batting order.
Former Test cricketer and chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed Sallu, speaking about Shoaib, said: “When I was chief selector, the relationship between Shoaib and the PCB was not exemplary as he was fined heavily. But the then chairman of the PCB, Dr Nasim Ashraf, asked me not to hold that against Shoaib while considering him for selection. People should respect Shoaib as his decision has come at the right time and he has stepped down to make way for the youngsters,” he said.
“No doubt people will miss his kind of fiery fast bowler in future,” Salahuddin said. “With his pace and impressive run-up he remained a threat for the oppositions and the Pakistan cricket will miss him.”
Sallu further said Shoaib had played a good role in the ongoing World Cup and his fiery delivery which clean bowled Mahela Jayawardene in the crucial match against Sri Lanka was the turning point.
“Against New Zealand, he could have got the wicket of Ross Taylor, twice in one over, but on both occasions Kamran Akmal dropped easy chances to allow the Kiwis to reach big total.”
“I wish him all the success in the remaining matches of the World Cup and hope he can carry Pakistan to title,” concluded Sallu
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