Shoaib Akhtar to quit after the World Cup

Pakistan’s temperamental fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will quit from all forms of cricket after the World Cup.

Akhtar decided to hang up his boots after Pakistan’s 110-run defeat against New Zealand, in which he went for 70 runs in his nine overs.

Akhtar made his international debut in 1997, took 178 wickets in 46 Tests, the last of which was against India at Bangalore in 2007. He is three wickets short of 250 in 163 one-day internationals and has taken 19 wickets in 15 Twenty20 internationals.

“I have no regrets. I made lots of friends but some people have misunderstood me. I thank all the players who played with me and against me. It was an honour to have played with Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. I never imagined I would play for Pakistan. It was my greatest moment.

“Pakistan’s last match in this World Cup will also be my last. I hope that will be the final on April 2.”

“I have decided to retire. Mentally I wanted to go on forever but I have decided to make way for the youngsters,” the 35-year-old said.

“I want to be remembered as an honest and patriotic player who never trod a wrong path,” said Akhtar.

Known as the Rawalpindi Express, Akhtar cracked the 100mph barrier at the 2003 World Cup. But his career will always be remembered for a series of fitness problems, discipline violations as well as a doping offence.