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LAHORE: Controversial former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar, taking a step ahead of another legendary paceman Wasim Akram, advised veteran Test batsman Younis Khan to retire from international cricket.
“Younis is one of the best batsmen the game has seen but I think it’s better he announces his retirement from international cricket to go home with all respect,” Shoaib told media here on Monday.
“If he feels he has a year of cricket left in him, he should rather play six months and then call it a day.”
Looking back to his own career, Shoaib — nicknamed the Rawalpindi Express due to his sensational bowling speed — said he “could’ve played more cricket for Pakistan but preferred retiring well before.”
Former Pakistan captain Wasim had earlier advised Younis to confine himself to just Test cricket but Shoaib, whose 14-year international career from 1997-2011 was full of controversies including being penalised for using banned drugs and dropped from the team for his attitude, said he doesn’t “consider Younis fit for Tests.”
On several occasions, Younis has expressed his desire to play One-day International cricket but the selectors, who gave him a chance in this year’s ICC World Cup, aren’t satisfied with his performance in limited-overs format.
Shoaib also said that he met Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan and Pakistan Super League (PSL) chairman Najam Sethi while expressing his desire to buy a team in the PSL with the help of a businessman.
The first edition of the PSL is likely to be held in the United Arab Emirates from Feb 4 to 24.
The PCB is yet to announce a final venue for the PSL despite having seemingly settled for Doha as its venue after failing to secure grounds in the UAE where the organisers of the Masters Cricket League had booked the grounds.
But recent reports suggest that the PCB held another round of negotiations with the MCL organisers and reached a consensus to possibly host the PSL in the UAE.
“The PSL is Pakistan’s brand and everyone should support the PCB for its successful commencement,” Shoaib said.
“The league will enable our cricketers to play with international players and hone their skills.”
Shoaib added that he also wanted to sponsor a regional team in domestic cricket — preferably of his hometown Rawalpindi.
He also urged the PCB to equally treat the tainted trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, and help them make international return while adding he would prefer including Amir in his PSL team, if possible.
Published in Dawn, September 22nd , 2015
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Comments (51) Closed
Sep 22, 2015 07:33am
Dude! let him win some more laurels.Let him make atleast 35 centuries and more than 10000 runs.At least Pakistan cricket can boast of having such batsman in its entire history!
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Sep 22, 2015 07:40am
In every argument you can count on Shoaib Akhter to come up and say something dumb.
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Sep 22, 2015 07:41am
This PSL bubble will burst sooner than later.......
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Sep 22, 2015 08:00am
All these players who did not have fitness levels to match Younis, are asking him to retire. Younis is not only the best with his record breaking stats but he is also the best Pakistani performer on the test Circuit now. Shoaib, needs to stay in his stature and not comment on legends.
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Sep 22, 2015 08:07am
I dont care if a guy is 100 year old as long as he performs and is based on merit. He is still probably our best test batsman so whats the problem Shoaib? Secondly his place is not decided by him its by PCB and Waqar. I think everyone accepts and understand he no longer has a place in limited overs, which is fine. Shoaib makes a lot of nonsensical statements. I think Nasir Jamshed should retire
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Sep 22, 2015 08:16am
Younis in his last outing won a match for Pakistan where all sorts of batting records were broken. I can name 10 players who should retire now from all forms of cricket. Younis is not on this list!
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Sep 22, 2015 08:18am
There seems to be a concerted effort on the part of PCB and its mouthpieces to get Younis to retire. What kind of racket is this? That is the reason not to have politically backed sports organizations. If there is a need to retire something, it is PCB with its mafia!
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Sep 22, 2015 08:19am
Some people don't like others to do more and acheive more milestone then them. Shoaib is one them who can't see his own team mates doing good for the country. He is the most fittest cricketer and one the most gentlemen/sportsmen Pakistan ever had.
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Sep 22, 2015 08:35am
Sohaib do one think dig a well and jump into same.You were never in grade or even near to Living legend Younis Khan.I don't care about there age,all matters to me how many century and 300 plus scores they chasing in 4 th innings.No other team in current test cricket has ability to chase 378 in 4th innings.Please keep your advise to yourself .
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Sep 22, 2015 08:43am
He “could’ve played more cricket for Pakistan but preferred retiring well before.”
Mr. Shoaib, you retired early because of controversies and attitude. It wasn't your decision at all, it was the circumstances you created yourself. To Legendary Younas, keep it up man, haters will hate your record breaking performances. Just ignore them and keep playing...... We want to see you playing.....
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Sep 22, 2015 09:25am
But the guy is fit and performing why shoaib???? What's your problem man??
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Sep 22, 2015 09:28am
Younis should be considered in test matches only and that to in subcontinent pitches anything outside is above and beyond for him.
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Sep 22, 2015 09:40am
agree with shoaib, younis should retire and go home, he has done nothing in ODIs in not in the last few series but years, he has done well in the test, so younis its a good time to retire
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Sep 22, 2015 09:57am
Younus is in good form as a Test batsman and the only player who can beat more records. Shoaib dont know anything to comment on Test players. We would or I would love to watch shoaib bowling in PSL.
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Sep 22, 2015 10:11am
Omar Amin should replace Yunus Khan. Isn't what you want Shoaib.?
We remember when in last 2-3 years of your career, you used to be short of breath and could hardly complete the over.
Yunus Khan is a different class. Shoaib you have no class !!
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Sep 22, 2015 10:58am
The pics displayed of Akhtar and Younis are funny though:)
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Sep 22, 2015 11:03am
PSL will fly as time progress. Pakistan would like to see
Amir in action in international cricket sooner than later.
Please keep the professional Cheaters- Salman and Asif away from it.
Younus Khan is a great Test player, but young players should be groomed and given chance in One Day cricket instead of him.
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Sep 22, 2015 11:20am
@syed You got it right. Umar Amin is Shoaib Akhtar's blue-eyed boy.
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Sep 22, 2015 11:33am
younis should play for pakistan.dont concentrate on rebellious shoaib interview.he is legend player and has ability to face all kind of crucial moments
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Sep 22, 2015 11:33am
Controversial as always.....
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Sep 22, 2015 11:40am
Yep, I agree bro Shoaib! Younus is just keep trying to keep dragging himself. There are a lot of talented and promising players in Karachi Knights and Blues.
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Sep 22, 2015 11:43am
corrupt mafia in action
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Sep 22, 2015 12:01pm
and who is this guy to ask a legend to quit again ? the only achievement Shoaib had was the fastest ball or the Sachin wicket. Did he lead Pak into a significant title ? Did he serve as a good ambassador for the game ? Has he ever showed respect to the game which has made him famous ? The answer is a plain NO to all of the above and a big YES for all of the above in YK's case so he needs to mind his own business and show respect to the true modern legend that is Younis Khan.
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Sep 22, 2015 01:28pm
All Younis Lovers. We are talking about limited overs cricket here. His stats for limited overs are Pathetic. Check it our for yourself. Coming at one down and scoring at 31 runs per innings is just to substandard. But there is no doubt that he is one of the best Test Batsmen Pakistan has ever produced.
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Sep 22, 2015 02:00pm
One can understand the standard of Shoaib's wisdom by looking into history of his career and yet again he has come up with this comment. I don't know how can he be an expert commentator.
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Sep 22, 2015 02:09pm
YK is a legend. Shoaib needs some training on how and what to speak...or better not to.
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Sep 22, 2015 02:34pm
We do not need any senseless experts like Shoaib Akhter. The guy was trouble when he was in the team and he hasn't done much better off it since his retirement. Younis is a complete team man who performs and gives it his all. Akhter's comments mean little and no one should really care about them.
As for a team in PSL, i think PCB should decline that option too. He recently was making fun of national heroes sitting on a dumb shown in India. Obviously he was getting paid quite well for sounding funny. A joke or two would have been okay but the way he insulted everyone, i'd rather not see this person any where near Pakistan cricket.
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Sep 22, 2015 02:57pm
@Saqib Salman please get your statistics right..jayawardena was one of the best batsmen in world but he averaged around 32 in odis. same is case with sehwag
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Sep 22, 2015 03:06pm
Mind ur opinions Mr shoaib, u will know the worth of pakistan test sides once yunus and misbah calls their day.
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Sep 22, 2015 03:08pm
Don't listen to what Shoaib Akhter says, he is the one who makes fun of all Pakistani cricketers on Indian media and now suggesting who should retire and who should play cricket. I hope he is not allowed to own any Cricket Team in Pakistan - let him go and try his luck in India.
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Sep 22, 2015 03:12pm
The comments says it all about YK
One can expect this from Shoaib / he has even said against Pakistan in India/ He has no idea what he is talking about
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Sep 22, 2015 03:26pm
@sandeep Sehwag's ODI average is 35 which decent plus he was a natch winner. Your knowledge is quite limited.
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Sep 22, 2015 03:54pm
When Pakistan wanted the best from Shoaib Akhtar, he would throw in a tantrum or feign an injury excuse. Younis Khan had nothing of that nonsense (almost mostly) but would give his best for the country.
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Sep 22, 2015 03:58pm
He is always controversially yours.
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Sep 22, 2015 04:20pm
The only advice given to Younis should be of retirement from T20 and ODI cricket - Shoaib shouldn't be taken seriously when it comes to advice about fitness & longevity.
For Test cricket, it should be a phased approach as Misbah is also nearing an end to his career......what you dont want is both leaving at the same time! For new energy and blooding youngsters both ODI and T20 can be used, for an eventual progression to the Test team.
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Sep 22, 2015 04:23pm
Shoaib bhai you are requested to spare your expert opinions for Indian TV channels only. If you want to judge the worth of you statment just read the comments in this section you will hardly find any supporting your prejudiced statement.
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Sep 22, 2015 04:29pm
India has pursued a policy of apartheid as hosts of IPL by keeping Pakistan Players out. Pakistan must not do that. Pakistan must invite big Indian stars to PSL. Eventually, PSL will spread from Doha, Dubai to Pakistan, Sri-Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Malaysia and Kashmir. Pakistan must not make the decision based on meaningless reciprocity. Be inclusive, be positive, be creative, make PSL a pan Asian tournament.
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Sep 22, 2015 05:08pm
This coming from someone with one of the worst attitudes and a pathetic record for bowling.
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Sep 22, 2015 05:25pm
Younus Khan is by far the fittest Pakistani athlete to ever grace the cricket team. I have seen him in the stadium and he is what you call "megafit"
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Sep 22, 2015 06:25pm
@Shahid
Shoaib was a washed up cricketer when he retired. He was dropped in the WC matches when the team management realised the mistake of playing him. If I recall he got clobbered by NZ for 70 runs in 9 overs with 52 runs off fours and sixes. And now he wants to mentor Aamir; lay off lest Aamir gets caught up in a drug bust.
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Sep 22, 2015 06:59pm
Shoaib wants to be the godfather of the Pakistan cricket. Best thing he can do is to keep his mouth shut for few years and don't down his colleagues in International arena.
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Sep 22, 2015 07:05pm
Younus Khan has the average of 19.00 in the last 29 innings. This average is too lower for a batsman. By that performance he do not qualify to be in the team. Fawad Alam averages more than 30 and he is a young and better batsman that should be given a chance.
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Sep 22, 2015 08:35pm
Mr Shoaib Akhter when you retire your fitness level was zero. Still you played the world cup. Younis is still fitter than many Junior player. He just won Test series for us in Srilanka. You did not retire you were kicked out after your disaster performance with New Zealand. If you think you have more year left, come back again, Ross Taylor is not retired yet.
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Sep 22, 2015 08:46pm
Shoaib Akhtar you are dumber than I thought
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Sep 22, 2015 09:25pm
You have confirmed your inability to "think" many times over. Take your own advice.
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Sep 22, 2015 10:22pm
Younis Khan still has some cricket left in him in spite of his old age and must be allowed to continue playing for the green-shirts in test as well as ODI games.
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Sep 22, 2015 10:28pm
Younas Khan is not only a great cricketer but also a very humble person as well. He is the fittest person in the team should continue playing.
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Sep 22, 2015 11:16pm
In my opinion , He did the best by going out of T20 at the very peak ( after lifting the worlcup T20 ) , he was given a chance to go that way too in ODI format too But his performance in the last ODI world Cup does not even warrant even to give him a chance against as lowly rated ODI teams as Zimbabeway so He Must not be given anymore chance in ODI format . In test area , select him and give him the chance against England in UAE , if he performs then extend it to against Australia too , if he falters in any of these 2 series , Then Shut the door on him for the test team too ..... If he does not retire gracefully from the two formats ODI and Test form , then show him the door , regrettably , Cricketers with Super ego , some times have to be shun this way , if they do not opt to go with grace ....
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Sep 22, 2015 11:20pm
Shoaib Akhtar was a failure himself, he had never ever been fit, he was less a cricketer and more of a showman. He should mind his own business, Younis Khan is the most fit player in the Pakistan Team, as long as he is scoring runs in Test matches, he should continue playing cricket.
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Sep 23, 2015 10:55am
Shoaib the fast bowler with a belly. I don't know any fast bowler or never seen any with a belly like shoaib. He is like American Football player.
Mr Shoaib your problem is that people of you age are still playing cricket and always performed better than you and still doing it.
Shoaib the bog mouth and big belly fast bowler. Remember when pain a finger at some one at least 3 fingers points back at you
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Sep 24, 2015 02:00am
Shoaib has no right to dictate terms to Younis a pakistani great. I also feel shoaib has too much to say on too many cricketing issues and that it is hot air simply to stay in media limelight. Like me many will start to ignore him soon.
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