Shoaib Akhtar to train 50 young pacers to serve Pakistan in long run

Karachi: Former Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar has said he was working to form a pool of 50 young pacers who could serve the country in the long run.

“Every board says our country is full of talent. But I don’t see anyone because we’ve not got a good fast-bowler for a long time,” he said “The board humiliates the ones who have talent which is having adverse effects. The youngsters who take inspiration from their heroes are not coming forward after seeing what is being done to their heroes,” Akhtar added. He said he will launch a countrywide talent hunt for fast bowlers, the Express Tribune reports. “I will go to the outskirts to find talent. I will mentor and promote them through media and in other ways,” he said. Akhtar, who was nagged by several injuries in his day, said that measures needed to be taken to protect the art. “Fast-bowling is not a normal job, it’s abnormal. The number of fast-bowlers is diminishing and they need to be safeguarded. I have said repeatedly that the International Cricket Council should remove the laws and restriction on fast-bowlers,” he said. ANI