Questions Akhtar’s commitment and fitness:

Skipper Shoaib derails ‘Rawalpindi Express’?

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.

KARACHI, Thursday (AFP)