Sami is a mentally weak athlete: Shoaib Akhtar

E-Paper | May 06, 2026

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“I played a lot with Sami and my observation is he tried to compete hard and lost discipline in bowling.” -Photo by AP

KARACHI: Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has described his one-time new ball partner Mohammad Sami as a “mentally weak” bowler who is not adept at handling pressure.

“Sami is a mentally weak athlete and he can’t take pressure,” Shoaib said in a TV interview on Sunday.

“Efforts were made to make Sami into ‘Karachi Express’ and he was constantly told that I was his competition for a place in the team,” recalled Shoaib.

“I played a lot with Sami and my observation is he tried to compete hard and lost discipline in bowling. When we bowled together we could put a lot of pressure on the batsmen and in such circumstances he bowled well,” Shoaib said.

The former pacer believed that luck also plays a big role in any cricketer’s career and Sami didn’t have much going for him.

“Sami was also an unlucky bowler as many times straight forward catches were dropped off his bowling while in some instances umpires didn’t give decisions in his favour,” he added.

The national selectors and the team management have come under criticism for retaining Sami in the T20 squad announced for the coming Australia series and the World T20 after he failed to make an impact on the Sri Lanka tour.

Sami’s selection was a debatable one, with critics pointing to his abysmal Test record of 85 wickets in 36 matches at an average of 56.

However, his performances in ODIs and T20 matches is better as he has captured 121 wickets in 85 matches at an average of 28 and 10 wickets at 14 in five T20 games.

Pakistan’s former captain Waqar Younis also recently criticised the performance of Sami in Sri Lanka, urging the selectors to go for young blood and to repose more confidence in someone like Junaid Khan.

But the selectors didn’t pick Junaid in the T20 squad with chief selector Iqbal Qasim making it clear that captain Mohammad Hafeez and coach Dav Whatmore had preferred to have the experienced Sami instead of the young Swabi pacer.

“Sami has failed to learn from his past experiences and despite making numerous comebacks, he is still a very expensive bowler,” Waqar said.—Agencies

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Jawwad

Jul 24, 2012 02:55pm

I second that. I have seen it time again after a drop catch or bad umpiring call, Sami seem to lose discipline and start bowling erratically.

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Ali Vaqar Awan

Jul 29, 2012 07:50am

Though Shoaib Akhtar might have made correct comment about Sami and it was his personal observation. Before sneaking into others he need to look into himself why he was not available for Pakistan when he was needed the most. He missed majority matches for Pakistan this showed how much his committment was questionable. Yes Akthar did made good contributions for Pakistan. Sami has not performed well in test matches but good in ODI and T20. Main problem with Sami was he conceded too many runs and lack of line-length. Best aspect was he had speed which our other bowlers lacked. All Sami need to develop focus and forget about past, and focus on what best he can do for our team. If we look at performance in that aspect, he has to do alot. Now he has got the chance, he should make best use of this oppurtunity.

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Ahmed

Jul 24, 2012 07:29am

I think what Waqar is saying is by and large correct. Sami has been quite unfortunate to have Kamran Akmal as his wicket keeper through the prime of his career. Kamran Akmal has costed both Kaneria and Sami at least 50 wickets. No exagerration. The second point mentinoed by Waqar about his lack of mental toughness and tendency to get nervous and indisciplined also seems correct. Once you drop a catch or umpire calls unfavorably to his appeal, you see his whole line length breaking down. In top level cricket you need mental toughness to excel, unforunately Sami was not able to show this. Finally Sami's limited overs cricket record is far better as compared to tests. By the way what happened with Tanvir Ahmed (from Khi) who was dropped for no reason after a good entry into test cricket ?

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Jawwad

Jul 24, 2012 03:04pm

It's both ways. Please note ALL bowlers get hit from time to time. That's just the laws of Cricket. However, you cannot equate batsman one six to a bowlers one wicket. Sachin has hit Shoaib in few, specially WC 2003 but then Shoaib has taken wickets of Sachin more than his fare share. Both are great players that is why you have rivalries. Youtube Shoaib's bowling and you will find new respect for him. He was just unique. As for Sachin, we are proud he is son of Asian soil, so what if India's and not Pakistan's.

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Wasim

Jul 24, 2012 03:09pm

He has pace, he has swing, but he has no brain doesn't know how to use his skills effectively. Accuracy and discipline have been his biggest problems. Shoaib is right, Sami does lose control when he tries to generate extra pace he becomes completely flat and loses control over his line and length. I would have preferred Junaid Khan over him.

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Karachi Wala

Jul 24, 2012 03:16pm

Very well said Mr. Lahore!!!

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Syed

Jul 24, 2012 03:22pm

dong bring that here. people from punjab only ruled 15 years out of 65. btw, punjab is 66% of population so it is natural that there will be more players from punjab than the rest of the country. Sami has so many chances (36 tests, and 85 ODIs) not one or two chances. Look at his average and make sure don't laugh.

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Angel

Jul 24, 2012 03:29pm

These indians only remember the world cup 2003 innings. There is another good innings of Sachin against Pakistan and that was in Chennai 1998 ( I guess). He scored a century in that test match and still India lost the match. Other than that Shoaib Akhtar always owned him. I don't even remember how many times this so called old god got bowled by Akhtar.

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Karachi Wala

Jul 24, 2012 03:32pm

You may have stolen my name but not my thoughts. Your comments and claims are completely nonsense and full of prejudice. When it comes to prejudice and bigotry, majority of the Pakistanis regardless where they are from and what flavor of Islam they follow, are on the same boat. None of the comments posted here are as bitter and down trodden. I am the original Karachi Wala and I am ashamed of your comments.

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Moosa Pervez

Jul 24, 2012 04:05pm

Waqar has never been a good team player. He always had problems for others. Now he has found the mic (thanks to Ten cricket) and spilling his rubbish around. Kamran Akmal is a big disaster and see he is again in the team. Do they not find any wicket keeper in whole the country?

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Moosa Pervez

Jul 24, 2012 04:12pm

I have personally heard Waqar calling Younis as player from Mardan and Afridi from Khyber. Waqar is a wrong choice as a commentator. He is biased and give ugly comments about players by their names whom he does not like. It is all painful for our ears.

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Moosa Pervez

Jul 24, 2012 04:18pm

Very true. If we can spend lot of dollars to correct Shoaib's action then why we can not hire some one who can give confidence to Sami. Afterall he is the fastest bowler of Pakistan cricket. But for God sake bring some reliable keeper behind the wickets not Kamran and his family members.

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Karachi Wala

Jul 24, 2012 03:36pm

I think Tanvir Ahmed was a decent bowler who got a late start. I think he had trouble with speed and stamina. When Pakistan was touring New Zealand, I heard a commentator saying that he (Tanvir) is having a hard time making the ball reach the keeper. And sure he was correct, after few over or in 2nd spell, Tanvir did have problem with his stamina

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Moosa Pervez

Jul 27, 2012 03:52pm

@ Bird's eye review: Your both comments on Sami are perfect. Management's confidence on a genuine fast bowlers is the key to boost up the bowler's self confident. He needs chances consistently. I hope the new foreign coach will understand it otherwise our own Pakistani coaches have their own personal problems. Fact it that how may Samis are in the cricket ground nowadays. Give him the new ball and reliable wicket keeper not Akmals. Don't make hue and cry and be patient if he is sent over the boundaries. Today's 20/20 cricket has changed all the beauty of cricket. Every body is hitter and not a classical batsman. Fast bowlers are badly suffered because of this attitude.

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Dawar

Jul 24, 2012 02:10pm

Sami is a current fastest Pakistani bowler. His select is good. He done marvelous bowling in Sri Lanka except one match. Please remember players dropped catches on his bowling again. If our fielders field good Sami is a lethal weapon. Sami is better choice.

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Karachi Wala

Jul 24, 2012 03:47pm

Sami has been one of my favorite bowlers. I always enjoyed watching him bowl constantly above 90 mph. In fact, in the beginning I preferred him over Shoib Akhtar, as Sami was never involved in controversies. His action is smooth and uncomplicated. Unlike Shoib Akhtar he could bowl quite fast from relatively shorter run up. Unfortunately, he could never fulfill the promise. Your coaches and Captains are there to guide you but ultimately, it is you who has to do justice to your own talent and prove with the figures. He may have had bad luck with dropped catches of off his bowling but again, Pakistan fielding has never been good and it was the same for each bowler. I think this is going to be his last chance and I wish him all the luck. I hope he proves himself this time.

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Moosa Pervez

Jul 24, 2012 04:01pm

If you consider yourself a Pakistani every body will think like the same but look your blah blah and your action which show completely different. Unfortunately the Punjabi thinking is to grab every thing of Pakistan by hook or by crook either it is politics, trade or sports. Change your mindset and let the other survive in the remaining Pakistan.

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Mehr

Jul 24, 2012 04:01pm

I have not seen Sami playing but one bowler that I would like to be replaced is Umar Gul.

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anwar khan

Jul 24, 2012 01:41pm

Sami was un-lucky on most of the occassion that behind the stump below par keeper Kamran Akmal droppped catched on his bowling more that 4 dozens times also even now captain's are biased while using Sami as he is a express pace bowler but not given new bowl instead getting older bowl which is affecting his performance other bowler are slow like Gul/Tanvir and they are also not getting fruits of new bowl. If Sami want to stay in Pakistan Squad then he must displine his bowling and should delveop slower bowl and slow bouncer as we as he must stick to game plan and must stick to proper line and lenghts and should know weakness of opponents so that he can use his commonsense to get the wieckets. Wake up call for Sami to grab the opportunity. Also PCB give Sami proper opportnities to excell for Pakistan. Why talented bowler TANVIR AHMED was dropped from Pakistan team after excellent performance????? Sad story of PCB people still remember that SHOAIB MOHAMMAD SCORED DOUBLE HUNDRED IN HIS LAST GAME AND AFTER THAT PCB dropped him in next series without giving any reason.

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Omair

Jul 25, 2012 01:32pm

Yes there have been prejudices and the worst outcome of those is this 'cry wolf' syndrome! Its like Blacks getting away with all their crimes 'coz Police is wary of being termed racists. C'mon you all! Its a straight forward case. Sami has been tried for umpteen times in the hope that his discipline and talent will work. Unfortunately, despite of all the chances, stats speak for themselves. He remains unfit for the highest level probably because of lack of mental toughness. Just cannot understand how this Karachi debate creeps in? Its detestable. Simply explanation is that Cricket has moved out of the big cities post 92 world cup. Life has become too tough for an urbanite to rely on Cricket for his living. From late 90s onwards, less and less representation of Lahore and Karachi in the playing 11. Now many towns in Punjab have taken up but towns in Sind haven't. Reasons are many but there certainly has been no prejudice in picking the playing 11. Please play fair!

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Asif

Jul 25, 2012 01:23pm

I remember Shoaib completely deflated after taken apart by Tendulkar in the 2003 WC. A mentally tough bowler would have tried hard to come back and bowled better but he was gone after 2-3 overs. Also most of the time he was a distraction and a burden on the team.

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Zahid Khan

Jul 25, 2012 01:21pm

It does no't suit Shoaib Akhter to comments like this for the fellow cricketer. Shoiab must first talk about him self, about world cup in south africa, what he did in the night clubs before the games.

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Zia

Jul 30, 2012 05:07am

100% true...... and many more bowlers...... I wonder why Waqar is silent, also he was way too much biased while commenting when sami was bowling....... Waqar has got some problem, thats why he failed to convert his amazing talent in numerous victories........

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Kader

Jul 26, 2012 04:08am

The true definition of a successful pakistani fast bowler is the one who can trouble india in india and as well on home wickets. unfortunately Sami failed to do so and therefore couldn't find a comfortable spot in the national team.

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Mohammed Baluch

Jul 26, 2012 04:26pm

One of the reasons S.Africa is the best team in the world is because of their affirmative action program where as a government policy, they have to select non-white cricketers in their national team - almost 40% of them. And this policy is implemented in many other areas of life as well. Amla would otherwise never have played for S.Africa, and Peterson would not have left S.Africa and moved to England. Pakistan desperately needs some measures like these to help integrate our society - use sports to strengthen our nationhood. This is what S.Africa is doing - the converse does not work. All you have to do is read the many comments on this article, and you can see the divide amongst our people.

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Jehanzeb Idrees

Jul 27, 2012 07:40am

Abdur Rehman also took 8 wickets on his debut against South Africa and then dropped for 3 years. 3 years? That's a lot of time Arslan, and when he was finally given a chance, look where he's now with 81 wickets in 17 Tests at an average of 28.40. It's all about grabbing your chances and making the most of it, any player who does that becomes a star. Look at Imran Khan, completely down and out during the 70s but came to become a legend a decade later, then Tilkaratne Dilshan even Sourav Ganguly. Look in other sports, Muhammad Ali, Lance Armstrong, Evander Holyfield, Andre Agassi, Monica Seles just to name a few. Blaming inconsistency is no excuse for an international player, when you are given a dozen chances to prove and still fail then you have have none but to blame your own sorry self. For any cricket fan, just a look at his statistics would be enough to know that Sami never deserved to be a Test cricketer at the first place (Average: 52.74 and Strike Rate: 88.2). It's a shut and close case my friend, don't try to make a great deal out of it!

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Wahid

Jul 27, 2012 03:24pm

Shoaib Akhtar was a physically weak athlete. Always fighting with injuries and controversies. I am happy that he is retired.

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ali

Jul 24, 2012 07:22am

Another Indian glorifying sachin against shoaib.. come on mate shoaib scared from sachin pfffffffffffffff .get a life!! he might be the God of cricket in India but he was bowled by shoaibyyyy MANY TIMES.

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Ali

Jul 24, 2012 07:17am

Shoaib is from Rawalpindi not from Lahore.....we love players from Khi as well as from Lahore or any other place from PAKISTAN.

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Kaleem

Jul 24, 2012 07:19am

Very biased thinking that is, a cricketer who is getting wickets at an average of 56 and you'd justify him because he hails from your city? At this average, other teams would get 560 runs per innings, not match winning stats at all :)

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vbi

Jul 24, 2012 09:23am

Oh..ok..And sachin also hit many boundaries against shoaib. Isn't it ?

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Azizabad

Jul 24, 2012 10:20am

One thing is for sure, talent from karachi never get a fair chance

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Syed

Jul 24, 2012 10:08am

Dont take it personally, dude. It's all about Sami's performance. And If any one has seen him perform against SRI Lanka, then we all know as a sports man, as an athlete, as an human (not pakistani or karachian or whateva) he yet again failed to deliver in most cases.

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Syed

Jul 24, 2012 12:41pm

Sami not fulfilling his promise is a big loss for Pakistan, otherwise nice and quite man, very hard working and very fit can bowl all day without complaining, fields well and hang around with bat...never involved in any controversy... overall very good team man. May that is why still preferred by captains and coaches. His example is of a good doctor who doesn't have 'shifa' in his hands.... some bowlers attract wickets and some don't he is the later category, having said that one alse have to make his own luck and reduce the % of errors as waqar said.

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vbi

Jul 24, 2012 03:22am

I think Shoaib is not the right person to comment like this. When he was thrashed by Tendulkar in 2003 world cup match against India, he refused to bowl when Wasim asked him to bowl again. He was really scared to bowl to sachin in that match. This means to say that he could not handle the pressure as well. Also shoaib was one of the most in-disciplined bowler that you will ever see. He always wanted to be a star but never had a temperament of McGrath, Donald etc. Unfortunately his focus was mostly on himself rather than the team and he missed out being a great bowler who will be remembered for long time. All he is doing nowadays is talk about his former teammates with whom he had some differences or talk about batting greats like Dravid/Sachin and others just to sell his book.

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mashood qadri

Jul 24, 2012 03:55am

I have seen bowlers, who had shown decent chance in the national squad, coming with lesser pace and lesser of varieties than Sami, but had got matured and performed best or atleast shown class in all formats of games with reverse swing and what not. However, Sami has the credibility of keeping his reputation with a great pace, but no variety, no line, no length. Above all, he could never present himself as a Danger Man in front of other teams. Playing him against Australia, will have dejavu and nothing else. The only question, I have, if this article was written by Wasim or Waqar the Great, I would respect each of the line and had nothing to say wrong. Having such a note, from Shoaib?? Professor Shoaib! May I ask, with all his talent and huge variety with a pace, why didn't he ever prove himself as a match winning bowler, like, his predessors, Wasim/Waqar tenure.

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Shahid

Jul 24, 2012 04:11am

Couldn't agree more. The guy seems devoid of confidence. The selectors must be either very desperate or totally incompetent, or both, to pick him for any format of the game.

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Paki

Jul 24, 2012 04:29am

Stop critisizing a few cricketers from Khi. You can't discard anybody after giving them chance in 2 or 3 matches of the tour. You should have a representative team of Pakistan, not just from Lahore.

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Karchiwala

Jul 24, 2012 04:40am

punjab mafia against sami, this has what cost us pakistan both political and in in sports, punjabism everywhere from army to politics to professional....jaag mere punjab baksh do pakistan ko

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saythetruth

Jul 24, 2012 12:00pm

Let the kid play our problem is that we don't let the talent evolve. He will make few mistake so what but in the end we will have a better bowler. He is not perfect but give him some time he will deleiver for Pakistan, has good solid action only need some confidence and not to forget a keeper who can take some catches

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waqas

Jul 24, 2012 09:41am

what a loser!

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Dilber Maseeh

Jul 24, 2012 08:13am

Its not about where Sami is from. Both Shoaib and Waqar are right in condeming Sami for not learning from his past mistakes. Its not about giving chance to Karachi players. Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Afridi are from Karachi too so please stop this immature nonsense about karachi players not getting chances. Ta

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LAHORE

Jul 24, 2012 08:24am

VERY SAD TO SEE THAT AFTER OVER 6 DECASED OF FORMATION OF PAKSITAN WE ARE STILL EMBOILED OVER KHI VS LAHORE, SINF VS PUNJAB. LETS FOR ONCE TALK ABOUT BEING A PAKISTANI. IF ALL ELEVEN BEST PLAYERS ARE FROM QUETTA THEN THEY MUST ALL BE SELECTED TO PLAY FOR PAKISTAN. ITS A SHAME ON US THAT WE CAN NEVER STAND AS A PAKISTANI.,

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Vikas Gurung

Jul 24, 2012 09:57am

@ Ali, yes Shoaib bowled Sachin so many time, but after considering too much runs, remember 2003 WC match, in that match too Saching was bowled by Shoaib, but after a match winning knock of 96.

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Shakil

Jul 24, 2012 09:57am

What about Kamran Akmal costing you 3 wickets per match. still being preffered. Likes of Basit Ali, Ghulam Ali, Rashid Latif were side lined for nothing. Sami is an acceptable case to be dropped. But fact is fact. Pakistan has been a victom of pathetic Punnjabiism.

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Moosa Pervez

Jul 24, 2012 04:19pm

You are right buddy.

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Moosa Pervez

Jul 24, 2012 04:22pm

Very true. Look they are also after Asad Shafiq. If he does not perform in one or two the Punjab mafia will kick him out. This is a main pressure upon Karachi boys including Sami .

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Jiju

Jul 24, 2012 05:17pm

@ali , so true. Not just Sachin , everyone on the Indian side used to pee in their pants when Shoaib bowled. It was obvious. Unfortunately here in India ,our Golden boy is considered God .You ask anyone out here about Shoaib and they keep bringing up that one time during 2003 WC.

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Mansoor Ali

Jul 24, 2012 05:40pm

i disagree, can you show me any consistant 145-150 kph bowlers anywhere in domestic cricket. He is 32, fit like a horse and lets hope lady luck smiles on him this time.

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Arslan

Jul 24, 2012 06:04pm

For Sami's haters, that he is not mentally strong, inconsistent, cant' swing etc., kindly recall the Sydney test in which he bowled an unplayable spell of fast bowling with pace and swing. He just needs backing by all of us as he has been very unfortunate all his career. Watch the video of his bowling in the Sydney test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5khAvtYpbrg&f...

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Nomi

Jul 24, 2012 06:06pm

I don't want to be prejudiced, but Mr. Maseeh is being oblivious to the obvious facts. Every one knows the backgrounds of Afridi and Younis. Being "from Karachi has a different connotation in Pakistan. And for those who think Asad Shafiq is "from" Karachi, just look at his bio on CricInfo. No boy "from" Karachi would ever get a chance to play in the teams of NWFP and NWFP Panthers. So all three players that Mr. Maseeh mentions are essentially not "from" Karachi. Pardon me, but there are prejudices in our country and have always been. Wake up, acknowledge them, try for a remedy, or let the country continue on its interminable slide.

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mazin

Jul 24, 2012 06:22pm

Who is writing a player who never perform, what was his line n length in year he blow 1 over good after that all expensive and more over after wasim he was zero . When wasim was there he control the batsman and when shoaib comes batsman try to hit n he got wickets.

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Adil Jadoon

Jul 24, 2012 07:23pm

Give Sami a chance. As for Shoaib we all know what an under achiever he is.

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Shree

Jul 24, 2012 07:50pm

Another chest thumping Pakistani.!!! Not even greats like Wasim Akram, Allan Donald, Geln Mcgrath, Courtney Walsh ever claimed that Sachin was scared of them wht is worth of Shaoib Akhtar ? Shaoib Akhtar was more in news for his unwarranted and ridiculous statements and tantrums rather than his performance while Sachin was always in news for his performance, not because of controversies he created. Shaoib Akhtar never commanded the respest he always begged for. Sachin will be know for his decency and achievements, while Shoib will be known for controversies.

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kazi

Jul 24, 2012 08:12pm

nothing to shout about really.

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Zia

Jul 30, 2012 05:09am

Yeah you are right, if Best Eleven Players selected than....... Akmals might be best in your eyes, offcourse not for me....... Sarfaraz is far better......

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roomi

Jul 25, 2012 01:06pm

whilst I do believe Sami has been given far too many chances for him to have the Worst ever Test average in International Cricket for all countries I dont think Shoib's remarks really do help anyone! We should back whoever has been selected for now and back them till the World Cup!People who are making this out to be a Punjab vs Karachi should also not fan such hatred! ! I hope Sami does well but if he doesnt chance should be given to other talented fast bowlers like Junaid khan Anwer Ali etc.- regardless of the fact where they come from!!

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dr zahoor

Jul 24, 2012 09:58pm

Shoaib was always a match winnwer. Even the best of the batsmen were not comfortable against him. His only problem was his indisciplin and that also because of his successes.

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Dr.A.Khan

Jul 24, 2012 11:17pm

Shoaib is right about mental toughness.cricket is all about mental toughness and to perform under lights,you need to have strong state of mind.Thats why the Australian cricket team constantly working on players ability to perform by adopting cognitive classes for the cricketers.

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Haris Raja

Jul 24, 2012 11:28pm

You don't necessarily need to be a great player to make his analysis. Shoaib has played for national team for ~15 years and he played with Sami. So any intelligent cricketer or cricket fan would value his opinion. Who says Shoaib wasn't a match winning bowler? Have you forgotten the time when even a 50% fit Shoaib was selected over any other bowler cuz everyone knew even a few good overs from him could turn game around? Shoaib was one of the most devastating bowlers in cricket history.

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Atif

Jul 25, 2012 12:48am

Talking purely on a professional base, Sami lacks heart and I have discussed this with some known bodies in the cricketing world and it seems to be fair to say that he needs a big heart. It's all about being confident in your game and making yourself heard, making a mark in your game, and to be strong and be fully 100% behind your decision. Luck is also what you need, and sadly Sami never seemed to have luck on his side. Also you need a very good keeper behind the stumps who can at least CATCH! You also need some decisions going your way with the umpires aswell, but sadly all these things went against sami, who no doubt is one of the best humle being you can come accross, but unfortunately it's a cruel game,where only performance counts! I think Sami will often be successful in domestic, but selectors should understand that there have always been players who do well at domestic level and are often knocking on the door for further selection, but they seem to feel the heat when they are there, so in Sami's case he's had his chances and now it's time to look at other promising youngsters.

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Nadu lal

Jul 25, 2012 01:38am

Guys, please cut it out. This is not the right forum for discussing provincialism and regionalism. Few of the comments are very disappointing.

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ArshadPatel,Ohio,USA

Jul 25, 2012 02:07am

The nation has not forgotten the dismal performances by both the pacers, Mr. Waqar Yunus and Mr. Shoib Akhter in the world cups of 1996 and 2011. During world cup quarter final against India, Waqar Yunus not only conceded 67 runs in his spell of 10 overs but was also involved in the RUN OUT of Legendary Javed Miandad. Shoaib Akhter performance against New Zealand during world cup 2011 was also to the rock bottom, conceding 70 runs in 9 overs. Both Waqar Yunus and Shoaib Akhter have done a lot for cricket but they should also remember not to degrade any body for every sportsman has his good and bad days. Sami has also shown brilliance in the past and if given fair and better opportunities, he will also write his name in the record books.

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ArshadPatel,Ohio,USA

Jul 25, 2012 05:10am

The nation has not forgotten the dismal performances by both the pacers, Mr. Waqar Yunus and Mr. Shoib Akhter in the world cups of 1996 and 2011.

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Mohsin

Jul 25, 2012 04:29am

This shows that since 2003 Sachin never hit a boundary as it was remebered in that manner..:D I too is an admirer of Sachin's greatness but when it comes to match winning innings...sachin has only 1 or 2 in his such a long career and when it comes to Shoaib vs Sachin....lol...Sachin mostly got out against him.

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Omer

Jul 25, 2012 12:36pm

one spell in 36 test matches. Is that good enough to retain him in squad ahead of other bowlers? and btw, Asif picked up 6 wickets in the innings and Sami struggled as usual in the 2nd innings.

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Omer

Jul 25, 2012 12:34pm

The nation has also not forgotton the numerous match winning performance of Waqar and Shoaib. The list is long but just for your short term memory Waqar won Pakistan 5 test series in England in 92, and 3 test rubber in 96 almost single handedly. He had a career average of 22 and strike rate of 40 plus, fastest for any bowler with more than 300 wickets. so he has the total right to give his views on someone like SAMI with 85 wickets at an average of 56 and go knows what strike rate.

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H.Tariq

Jul 25, 2012 06:53am

True that....Akmal has really affected the careers of Sami and Kaneria due to his keeping.

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syed

Jul 25, 2012 12:12pm

Shoaib was the match winner, in my humble opinion the right criticism on shoaib is the lack of physical fitness which prevented him from attaining greater hieghts and prevented the team management from making plans and strategies around him

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Jehanzeb Idrees

Jul 27, 2012 07:54am

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Bird's eye review

Jul 25, 2012 06:13pm

The problem with Sami is not mental weakness.He was given few consistent chances(many chances but few were given consistently) & this doesn't allowed him to settle his bowling well according to the changing environment during matches.A fast bowler like him needs to play consistently to get his bowling settled.Cricket nowadays has become very brutal,ruthless for fast bowlers.ICC's attempts to make cricket batting friendly during last decade & now the T20 cricket has made genuine pacers endangered species in cricket.Now even bowlers with long runups relies on slow balls to take wickets.But nevertheless pacers are still fearfull and a good weapon & Dale styen is a good example of this.What Sami needs is consistent chances from selectors to adjust his pace & line. Anybody questioning Sami's strenght should watch the highlights of BPL were he was the top bowler of the tournament & the thing which was done by DR team was that they gave him consistent chances even when he was punched hard by Chris gayle & Ahmed shehzad during initial matches but after that he got his rythem back & became a matchwinning bowler.A little confidence on him can make him a bowler like Dale styn or even better.

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Ghaus

Jul 25, 2012 06:25pm

Shuaib is mentally very tuff. He bowled in 2007 world cup the 1st very to Tandulkar and gave 18 runs to start with. What a looser he is. He was always responsible for loosing the major games. The same feeling i have about Kamran Akmal.

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Bird's eye review

Jul 25, 2012 06:43pm

Nowadays genuine fast bowlers like Sami have become a gamble in a game.When you give such a bowler an over then there are two chances either he will snatch the match from the other side or the batsmen from other side will beat him to the core.What genuine Pacers require these days is full confidence from team management to give their teams more number of desired results they want & increase the chances of success of a gamble.A good example is Dale styn.In the first match of IPL he was star of the show but in the very next match when Delhi was chasing 192 he was punished hard but then he came back in the next match.The reason was that he was played consistently throughout the tournament & although Deccan didn't peformed well in the tournament but they did well at the end of the tournament & Styn played a bigger role in it.Sami's story was similar in Bangladesh premier league where at the start of the tournament he was punished hard by the batsmen but Durunto rajshahi continuously gave him chances & played him in every match & the result was that he became the top bowler of tournament.Registered a hattrick & 2 five wicket hauls.It was a delight to watch the wood work falling apart behind the batsmen when Sami was bowling something which has become a rare sight in intl cricket nowadays.The recent performance of Dale styn against England suggests that genuine pacers needs to be given consistent chances & played in every match to get the best out of the pace of the pacers.

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Arslan

Jul 25, 2012 07:22pm

Omer, you're not getting it. This is what inconsistent selection can do to a player. Sami has been in and out of the team and never given a consistent chance. He made his debut in 2001 and has played just 36 test matches in 11 years. How is that justified for a bowler who took 8 wickets in his test match debut. You cannot compare him with Asif who had been in the team for a consistent period of time. How can a bowler who has a very good average in ODIs (28.52 and less than 5 RPO economy for 85 matches) be not good in test matches? This is what we have done to bowlers like Mohammad Zahid who took 11 wickets in his test match debut and went on to play only 5 test matches! It was only because of Sami that Pakistan took initiative in Sydney test match as he broke the back of Australia's batting by taking the most important top order wickets from where Australia couldn't recover. Why did he go on to bowl only 12 overs in that innings? I'm afraid your comment is not justified!

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Zia

Jul 30, 2012 05:11am

Yeah...... most devastating bowlers, correct.... but unfortunately many times devastating for Pakistan...... he rarely could complete a spell of 10 overs........

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LAHORE

Jul 26, 2012 10:37am

MR. NOMI, WITH DUE RESPCT I FEEL ASHAMED AFTER READING YOUR REPLY. JUST BEACUASE AFRIDI AND YOUNUS ARE FAIR AND ALSO SPEAK PUSHTO THAT YOU CONDEMN THEM OF NOT BEING FROM KARACHI. KARACHI OR FOR THAT MATTER ANY CITY IN PAKSITAN IS FREE FOR ALL PAKISTANI'S TO LIVE AND LEAD THER LIVES. HYOU CANNOT GO ABOUT DISCRIMINATING PEOPLE ON THEIR PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES. THAT IS COMPLETELY RACIST. WE NEED TO GO TO BASICS -WE ARE HUMANS - WE ARE MUSLIMS - WE ARE PAKISTANI - PAKISTAN ZINDABAD!!!

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Salman

Jul 25, 2012 10:41pm

Shoaib don't be judgmental..We liked your skills but hitching conspiracies when you are down and out aint a moral thing!!

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vbi

Jul 26, 2012 03:15am

Shoaib Akhtar has got Sachin Tendulkar out 3 times in 9 test matches, which is around 18 innings. Avg: 44.66 In one day international, Akhtar has got Sachin 5 times from 19 matches. Avg 45.47 The average is similar to his overall average. You are pointing as if in every innings against pak, sachin has got out to akhtar. I am not saying that some indians or indian players told about akhtar getting scared of sachin in that WC match. Check out a youtube video where wasim akram himself had told that akhtar did'nt want to bowl at sachin in that world cup match. Then wasim told akhtar that he is the strike bowler and he should bowl. But akhtar still did'nt bowl.

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jogesh narula

Jul 26, 2012 05:05am

Thats the spirit. I think Shohaib is a great bowler and/if Sachin was scared to face him, it just shows that Sachin is a human being. Cricket is such a Game it really brings out the insecurities in the Players .

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Jorah

Jul 26, 2012 07:15am

A player being remarked as mentally weak by someone who himself was physically weak. Get a life Shoaib

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