Yasir Hameed "Shoaib Akhtar Looks Ready for an International Comeback" by PakPassion.Net

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Player:

Shoaib Akhtar, Yasir Hameed

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DateLine: 26th April 2010

 

The word comeback and Shoaib Akhtar are more often than not always mentioned in the same sentence.

 

Shoaib's career it seems always revolves around some sort of comeback, whether it be a comeback for a domestic competition or indeed a comeback to the international side.

 

Just over two months ago, Akhtar who was captaining KRL at the time in the Royal Bank of Scotland Cup told PakPassion.net that he still had high hopes for captaining his country before he waved goodbye to cricket. The determination was there in his voice, here was a man who had a point or two to prove to individuals who had written him off once again.

 

Akhtar in the interview also stated that he had hopes for making the Pakistan squad for the Twenty/20 World Cup and whilst that ambition has not been realised, Akhtar could though find himself once again in the reckoning for the extended tour of England.

 

The Pentangular Cup currently ongoing in Karachi has presented Akhtar with an opportunity to give Mohsin Khan and his selection team a timely nudge before they announce the names for a training camp ahead of the tour of England.

 

Representing the Federal Areas Leopards, Akhtar has produced two excellent bowling performances and has managed figures of six for 52 against the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Panthers and today took three for 38 against the Baluchistan Bears in 9.2 hostile overs.

 

Speaking from Karachi to PakPassion.net the Khyber skipper and former Pakistan batsman Yasir Hameed stated that Akhtar had impressed him during the match on Wednesday 21st April.

 

"Shoaib looks in good shape, he has obviously lost a lot of weight and it would appear that he has been working very hard to get fit. I was most impressed with him".

 

Akhtar starred for the Leopards as they comfortably beat the Khyber team by 77 runs and Hameed added "He was bowling in an aggressive and hostile manner and it reminded me to a certain extent of the Shoaib Akhtar of old".

 

Hameed who scored 29 for the Khyber team continued "His levels of stamina really impressed me too. It was hot and humid and he (Akhtar) certainly wasn't struggling, he showed tremendous levels of stamina to be bowling so quick in that heat".

 

Asked whether he thought Akhtar was ready for an international comeback Hameed added "I don't see why not, if he continues his good form and maintains his fitness levels then I think he deserves another crack at international cricket".

 

The Leopards two remaining games will be against the Punjab Stallions and the Sindh Dolphins and present 34 year old Akhtar with further opportunities to press his claim for yet another comeback.

(Article: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only.
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