'Akhtar's career as good as over'

Troubled Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar's career is as good as over, bowling great Wasim Akram said on Monday.

"I don't think he has got a chance unless and until some miracles happen," former Pakistan skipper Akram told reporters at a private cricket function in the Indian capital.

Injury-prone Akhtar was left out of the squad for the five-match one-day series in Sri Lanka starting this week as well as the Champions Trophy probables, raising doubts about the future of the former spearhead.

"Even though it depends on the captain and selectors, I think Shoaib has fallen out with the selectors and the cricket board itself," Akram said.

Akhtar, the quickest bowler in world cricket at one time, has taken 178 Test wickets and 223 ODI wickets but his career has been plagued by fitness issues, disciplinary problems and controversies.

"This cricket board still supported him and he went to Abu Dhabi and played two of the five games (against Australia) before getting injured again. We all saw that," he said.

Akhtar, 33, was ordered by his cricket board (PCB) to explain himself after he said on a television interview that he had considered suing the PCB for releasing his medical report when he was ruled out of the squad in May for the World Twenty20.

"I think Pakistan's bowling unit is doing well and they have to look ahead and think about the future," said Akram.

"They have to back the youngsters who will do the job for them... I don't know where you can place Shoaib Akhtar in the current picture of Pakistan cricket."