Former Test pacer Aaqib Javed, the chief bowling coach at the National Cricket Academy, warned that fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar does not have a very long int'l career.
KARACHI: Former Test pacer Aaqib Javed, the chief bowling coach at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, has warned that fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar does not have a very long international career.
Describing Shoaib as a very moody player, Aaqib, who tasted success in the era of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, said he didn't see the fast bowler playing for more than two year's time.
"He is basically a very moody player. Only he knows what he wants to do when he gets up the morning although each player is supposed to be ready to train and for every condition," said Aaqib.
Shoaib left the national training camp in Karachi last week complaining of a neck strain and manager Talat Ali said he had been advised a week's rest.
The injury scare came after Shoaib made a comeback to Pakistan duty after playing just one test and four one-dayers in the last 15-months due to a host of fitness problems including a knee surgery last year.
Aaqib said only Shoaib knew how serious his present injury was.
"Only a player knows really about his fitness. So it is hard to say whether this neck strain is serious or not," he added.
Aaqib, who is in contention for the post of assistant coach of the national team, said Shoaib had bowled very well in the practice Twenty20 matches in Lahore but was completely off colour in Karachi.
"What creates problems for Shoaib is that if he is out of cricket for one or two weeks he does not touch the ball. So he loses the rhythm and focus."
Aaqib said he had advised Shoaib that even if he is resting he should bowl one or two overs to keep in touch so that he does not have to start from zero to assess his fitness and form.
"If he does not work very hard in his last few years as an international player he will face a lot of difficulties in future."
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