Shoaib slams slow strips
AFP, Peshawar
Pakistan's top fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar bemoaned slow and lifeless tracks and oppressive conditions in his home country after demolishing Bangladesh with a six-wicket burst in the second Test here on Thursday."I hope they prepare fast pitches in Pakistan otherwise there is no point in having me," Shoaib, the world's fastest bowler, told reporters after recording second best career figures of 6-50. Shoaib, wearing an ice jacket to thwart temperatures soaring to 40 degrees Celsius, derailed Bangladesh in a devastating spell on the second day, taking six wickets in just 21 balls. "The conditions are in total contrast to England where the weather is cold and I could bowl a 12-over spell at a stretch, but here it is difficult even to bowl three overs," said Shoaib, who now has 96 wickets in 27 Tests. Pakistan produced world class pace bowlers in Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis over the last three decades but has failed to develop fast tracks due to hot weather and lack of expertise. Known as the "Rawalpindi Express" for his fiery speed, Shoaib was initially permitted to skip the series to continue playing for Durham county in England but was summoned after fellow pacer Mohammad Sami was ruled out for the series due to an ankle injury. The 28-year-old pacer will return to Durham to complete his contract after the Test. "I came back to play for my country, for my people and will return to play for Durham after a mutual deal between Pakistan Cricket Board and the county," said the pacer, who has taken 50 wickets in his last 10 Tests. He took only three wickets in Pakistan's seven-wicket win over Bangladesh in the first Test in Karachi, which gave his detractors another chance to bring out knives. "I get to my best whenever there is criticism but I think the job is half done because we have a more challenging series against South Africa next month," said Shoaib, whose bowling action was questioned thrice but was finally cleared on the basis of deformity in his bowling arm. He is also the only bowler in international cricket to bowl over 160 kilometers (100 miles) per hour a feat he achieved against New Zealand in Lahore last year and against England at Cape Town, South Africa in this year's World Cup. Pakistan host South Africa in September-October after finishing three Tests and five one-day internationals against Bangladesh. Shoaib praised Test minnows Bangladesh as being a much improved side. "They (Bangladesh) are playing much better than when I played against them a few years back."
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