Shoaib Akhtar wants to play one final match for Pakistan

Shoaib Akhtar, world's fastest bowler, who announced retirement from all formats of international cricket after 2011 World Cup wants to one final match for Pakistan.

The fast bowler wants a proper send off on Pakistan’s tour of West Indies.

Shoaib, who is known for his acrimonious behaviour, last played for Pakistan in a match against New Zealand during the group stages of ICC 2011 World Cup.

Shoaib started off nicely in that game and was troubling opposition’s batsmen early on but once Pakistani wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal dropped two catches of his bowling he looked pretty mediocre.

Shoaib was taken apart by Kiwi batsman Ross Taylor who was dropped twice. The bowler got frustrated and was later involved in an altercation with wicket-keeper which forced the management to reprimand both cricketers. The fast bowler was penalised for US $ 2,000.

The Rawalpindi Express did not feature for Green Shirts since the confrontation. The fast bowler is of the view that he deserves a proper farewell similar to what was given to former Pakistani skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Inzamam retired from international cricket in 2007 after his side was knocked out of group stages of World Cup for the second time. Pakistan Cricket Board recalled the right-hand batsman and gave him a proper send-off by allowing him to play against South Africa at his home ground.

The PCB might not agree because it believes the cricketer lacks the fitness to last a match.

A source was quoted by a local newspaper as saying, ”He (Akhtar) is far from fit to play international cricket. And the fact that another big reason why Pakistan opted against playing him in their key World Cup games was his poor behaviour makes it almost impossible for the bowler to make a return even for one final match.”

Only time will tell whether Rawalpindi express gets a run for one last time or not. According to Waqar Younis, coach Pakistan cricket team, “Shoaib was a big name in Pakistan cricket and there is no doubt that he left an impact on the team. It is never easy to replace such players but I guess every player has to call it a day eventually.”