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A spoiled talent

AFP, Islamabad
A lot has been said about mercurial Pakistan paccman Shoaib Akhtar, but one fact cannot be denied -- his talent has been wasted by a series of injuries, indiscipline and a dopingcontroversy.
The five-year ban imposed by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday, if not lifted on appeal or court case, effectively ends the 11-year career of Akhtar, who was famous for bowling at 100 miles (160 kilometres) per hour on two occasions.
"I want to be remembered as a match-winner, someone who wants to do well for his country, but 1 don't know why I am being embroiled in controversy after controversy, why they blame me for getting injured," hehassaid.
"Tell me which fast bowler has not suffered injuries in the last few years because of the demanding cricket. Zaheer Khan, Steve Harmison, Shane Bond, Andrew Flintoff - they all get injures, then why blame me?" he said in earlier statements.
Tagged the "Rawalpindi Express" for his speed, Akhtar is arguably better known for his antics off the field than on it.
Sarfraz Nawaz, Akhtar's former coach and once a fast bowler himself, said he would like to remember Akhtar as a bowler whose talent went wasted due to poor management.
"I will always remember him as a talented bowler. Look at score cards -- where does Pakistan team stands when Akhtar is injured?" said Nawaz, who played 55 Tests for Pakistan and was regarded as a pioneer of swing bowling.
Another of Akhtar's fans is Pakistan cricket legend Imran Khan.
"Akhtar has always been made scapegoat for Pakistan's defeats," Khan had said after Akhtar was blamed for Pakistan's 1-0 defeat in
India late last year.
"He still Is head and shoulder above every other bowler in the team and needs special handling," Khan had said.
Unfortunately for Akhtar, he never had the tutelage of Khan, who polished the talent of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.
Akhtar, who started his career in 1997, made headlines in the 1999 World Cup held in England.
With a peculiar long, hurtling run-up and blistering speed, he fetched 16 wickets to help Pakistan finish runners-up to Australia.
The then Pakistan captain Wasim touted his talent.
"Akhtar may be a bit wayward on
and off the field but he needs guidance and support and once he gets that he can win matches for you," Wasim said after the World Cup.
His star status was sealed, but with it came the negative side of the picture as he was portrayed as someone who liked late-night outings and partying with girls.
Akhtar has always insisted he has been let down by coaches.
"Had J been born in Australia I would have been a top bowler or had I got a chance to play under Imran then my talent would have been utilised properly," Akhtar said in 2006.
A scries of injuries, a doping scandal and fall-outs with his excaptain Inzamamul Haq and late coach Bob Woolmer didn’t help his cause either.
He and fellow paceman Mohammad Asif were banned for two and one years respectively after the duo tested positive for banned drug nandrolone in October 2006.
The bans were controversially lifted on appeals. However, the pair were pulled out of the World Cup held in the West Indies in 2007.
Not playing in that World Cup was the most regrettable moment in Akhtar's career.
"If you ask me, that was the worst moment of my career. West Indies is known for fast bowling and I have not played there. Maybe my wish is granted some day,’ said Akhtar last year.
It appears now that wish may never be granted.scandal and fall-outs with his excaptain Inzamamul Haq and late coach Bob Woolmer didn’t help his cause either.
He and fellow paceman Mohammad Asif were banned for two and one years respectively after the duo tested positive for banned drug nandrolone in October 2006.
The bans were controversially lifted on appeals. However, the pair were pulled out of the World Cup held in the West Indies in 2007.
Not playing in that World Cup was the most regrettable moment in Akhtar's career.
"If you ask me, that was the worst moment of my career. West Indies is known for fast bowling and I have not played there. Maybe my wish is granted some day,’ said Akhtar last year.
It appears now that wish may never be granted.