The ace pacer from Rawalpindi famously called the “Rawalpindi Express” known for his ferocious pace and aggression has served Pakistan cricket for the past 13 years. His ability to play with the ball and reverse swing at will makes him one of the most feared bowlers in the international cricket. With the world cup looming in the subcontinent, many hopes and responsibilities are lying on this shoulder helped him to win the race against time to get fit and is definitely the bowling spearhead for team. Yes, I’m talking about Pakistan’s mercurial pacemen, Sohib Akhtar.
This injury prone ace cricketer had many ups and downs in his legendry cricketing career. He plays a key role in this team and holds the bowling together with the likes of Umar Gul and Abdul Razzaq. The absence of Mohamad Amir who has been imposed a 5 year ban and Sohail Tanvir who’s been nursing a knee injury would really hurt Pakistan. Amir, 18 was a real bowling force for Pakistan and with the kind of start he got for his career, experts predicted him to be the future of Pakistan bowling.
This increased the pressure on Akhtar to perform out of his skins, which he’s been doing throughout his career to make up for their absence.
His ability to incessantly bowl above the 140 mark can be very effective in both the preliminary overs and the dying overs of a match. His trusted yokers at vicious velocities can be implemented at any stage of a match which adds to captain Afridi’s options.
With Razzaq’s bowling raising questions, it’s more of an opportunity for Akthar to cement his place in this squad and also lash out at the critics. Akthar’s performance this World Cup has been very ordinary for his standards. Though he has managed to keep it tight, conceding 52 runs in 15 overs and took 2 wickets. With the bowlers like Umar Gul (13.1-72-3)*, Shahid Afridi (18-50-9)* and Mohammad Hafeez (10-59-2)* performing Akhtar doesn’t have immense pressure mounting on him but he has to show his presence more often if Pakistan wants to see themselves through in this tournament.
He has been hungry and a busy candidate since the beginning of his reign. His inclusion was more of a tactical integration to Pakistan’s strategies. Raised by the legend Wasim Akram himself, Akhtar has broken all barriers of a fast bowler with true passion and integrity. He always had tough battles with his body and after all the blows and completion, he has a point to prove and there is no better platform where he can do so.
We’ve seen him do an “aeroplane” since 1997 and hope he continues to fly for some more years to come.
*(overs-runs-wickets)
This injury prone ace cricketer had many ups and downs in his legendry cricketing career. He plays a key role in this team and holds the bowling together with the likes of Umar Gul and Abdul Razzaq. The absence of Mohamad Amir who has been imposed a 5 year ban and Sohail Tanvir who’s been nursing a knee injury would really hurt Pakistan. Amir, 18 was a real bowling force for Pakistan and with the kind of start he got for his career, experts predicted him to be the future of Pakistan bowling.
This increased the pressure on Akhtar to perform out of his skins, which he’s been doing throughout his career to make up for their absence.
His ability to incessantly bowl above the 140 mark can be very effective in both the preliminary overs and the dying overs of a match. His trusted yokers at vicious velocities can be implemented at any stage of a match which adds to captain Afridi’s options.
With Razzaq’s bowling raising questions, it’s more of an opportunity for Akthar to cement his place in this squad and also lash out at the critics. Akthar’s performance this World Cup has been very ordinary for his standards. Though he has managed to keep it tight, conceding 52 runs in 15 overs and took 2 wickets. With the bowlers like Umar Gul (13.1-72-3)*, Shahid Afridi (18-50-9)* and Mohammad Hafeez (10-59-2)* performing Akhtar doesn’t have immense pressure mounting on him but he has to show his presence more often if Pakistan wants to see themselves through in this tournament.
He has been hungry and a busy candidate since the beginning of his reign. His inclusion was more of a tactical integration to Pakistan’s strategies. Raised by the legend Wasim Akram himself, Akhtar has broken all barriers of a fast bowler with true passion and integrity. He always had tough battles with his body and after all the blows and completion, he has a point to prove and there is no better platform where he can do so.
We’ve seen him do an “aeroplane” since 1997 and hope he continues to fly for some more years to come.
*(overs-runs-wickets)
