Akhtar has no fitness issues: Pak team manager

KARACHI: Pakistan cricket team manager Yawar Saeed has dismissed reports that controversial pacer Shoaib Akhtar was facing fitness problems ahead of the One-day series against Australia in Abu Dhabi and Dubai starting on Wednesday.

He said Akhtar was training as hard as other players of the team.

"He (Akhtar) has been through some grueling practice sessions and has also bowled in the nets. We have not seen any problems with his fitness," Yawar said from Dubai where Pakistan was training for the five-match ODI and a one-off Twenty20 series against the World Champions.

He said since the team's arrival in Dubai last week, regular training sessions were being held and Akhtar didn't miss a single one of them.

"I don't know from where these stories are coming that Shoaib (Akhtar) could break down during the series as he is not 100 per cent fit. But so far on basis of the sessions we have had he looks fine," Yawar said.

However, doubts still remain over Akhtar's availability for the entire series as he has a history of breaking down with fitness issues midway through a tournament.

Akhtar was selected for the Australia series after passing a fitness test in Lahore.

The fast bowler from Rawalpindi, who has a history of disciplinary and fitness issues since his debut in 1997, made a comeback to the national team in January after a 14-months gap in the home series against Sri Lanka, but was later dropped after the first two ODIs for lack of form and fitness.

Source: http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Akhtar-has-no-fitness-issues-Pak-team-manager/articleshow/4422920.cms

Pakistan captain Malik backtracks on struggling Akhtar

Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik toned down criticism of Shoaib Akhtar ahead of the third and final match against Sri Lanka Saturday, saying the struggling paceman was back from a long break.

"I never used any individual's name," Malik told a news conference Friday, referring to comments made Wednesday.

"I was talking about the 11 players who played the match and people did not understand me," Malik said.

"What I felt was that he lacked rhythm as he was playing after a break of 11 months or so," he said.

Malik had questioned Akhtar's commitment after Pakistan went down by 129 runs in the second one-day match in Karachi Wednesday, levelling the three-match series at 1-1.

Pakistan won the first match by eight wickets, also played in Karachi, on Tuesday. The third game will be played in Lahore Saturday.

After Wednesday's defeat Malik was asked whether Akhtar had played his last match. The Pakistan captain replied: "If you look at his performances and record and matches he has won, there is no question over his effectiveness," Malik said.

"But the question is over 100 percent fitness. Cricket has changed and if you aren't 100 percent fit then it is difficult.

"Everyone can see what is out there. He has the ability to bowl 10 overs but the commitment in fielding that I want wasn't there.

"Maybe he has a problem and that is why he wasn't running in the field," Malik said Wednesday.

Although Malik refused to say whether Akhtar would be dropped for Saturday's match, it was likley that Akhtar and fellow paceman Sohail Tanvir will make way for rookie paceman Sohail Khan and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal.

Akhtar managed only one wicket for 88 runs in the first two matches, while Tanvir's only wicket cost 85 runs.

Akhtar played just three Twenty20 matches for Pakistan last year. The 33-year-old missed the major part of Pakistan's cricket season due to fitness problems and a ban over discipline charges.

Malik questions Akhtar's commitment and fitness

A disgruntled Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik on Wednesday questioned Shoaib Akhtar's fitness and committment, leaving a big question mark on the paceman's international career.

"He (Akhtar) lacked fitness and commitment," said Malik after Pakistan's 129-run thrashing at the hands of Sri Lanka in the second one-day match here.

The controversial paceman, on a comeback trail after missing most of Pakistan's matches last year due to a ban and fitness problems, managed just one wicket in the two one-day matches he played here.

The 33-year-old fast bowler was hit for 43 runs in Pakistan's eight-wicket win on Tuesday and then took 45-1 off seven overs in the second match.

Pakistan plays Sri Lanka in the last match in Lahore on Saturday.

"The commitment which I need from him in the field is not there. Akhtar has the capability to bowl ten overs, but we want ten overs with the same speed and then want him to field 50 overs.

"The question mark is on his 100 percent fitness.

"I will talk to the coach (Intikhab Alam) and selectors and since we have some other good bowlers we must move on and give them chances."

Akhtar, known as Rawalpindi Express for his speed, played his last one-day international against India in November 2007.

He broke down with a back problem in Pakistan's last Test in Bangalore in December 2007, which forced the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to exclude him from the list of central contract last year.

Akhtar publicly criticised the PCB, prompting a five-year ban that was reduced to 18 months on appeal, but with a seven million rupee (100,000 dollar) fine.

Akhtar challenged the reduced ban and fine in a Lahore court. A final decision is still pending but the court suspended the ban, clearing him to play for Pakistan.

However, he sat out all three matches against the West Indies in November last year due to a groin injury and played just three Twenty20 matches last year.

Malik said cricket demanded full fitness.

"Akhtar has won matches for us on tracks not conducive for fast bowlers, but now cricket has changed a lot. Now if you are not 100 percent fit then it's difficult and other bowlers have done well and deserve chances."

Akhtar has 178 wickets in 46 Tests and 220 in 140 one-day matches.

Source: http://www.cricbuzz.com/component/latest_cricket_news/Story/9800/malik-questions-akhtars-commitment-and-fitness/