London, June 23: Pakistan coach Javed Miandad insisted fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar had been the ideal team man during the team's three-match one-day tournament against England. The 27-year-old pace bowler, who will play for English county side Durham for the rest of the season, has received almost as much criticism for his sometimes wayward bowling and colourful off-field lifestyle as praise for his fearsome speed.
But Miandad, speaking after Pakistan's four-wicket defeat against England at Lord's yesterday, said, "The past is the past. Shoaib's been an excellent team man, encouraging the youngsters.”
"Yesterday (Saturday) he came to this ground and bowled for an hour and a half in the nets. He was a different bowler in this last game," said Miandad of the fastest bowler currently in world cricket. "If you have a problem you go in the nets and then apply yourself in the middle," legendary Pakistan batsman Miandad added.
Shoaib took an expensive two for 69 in England's series levelling victory at the Oval on Friday but appeared a bowler transformed at Lord's yesterday.
Figures of none for 40 from his permitted 10 overs did Shoaib no justice whatsoever after he repeatedly beat the bat and had England's match-winning centurion Marcus Trescothick dropped off his bowling as well. Bureau Report