Shoaib Akhtar Explains Why He Refused to Take the Captain's Position for Pakistan in 2002

One of the greatest spinners of all time is the renowned Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar. played at the top level for 14 years and claimed a total of 444 wickets under the nickname Rawalpindi Express.

He also retains the record for the bowler who delivers the ball the fastest. Against New Zealand in 2002, he reached a speed of 100 mph (161 kmph).

On November 29, 1997, Akhtar made his international début for Pakistan while Wasim Akram was the captain. He has now admitted that he was given the option to lead the Men in Green in 2002, but he declined the offer.

I was provided with a captaincy option in 2002, but Shoaib said in an interview that he had to decline it on the grounds that he was ill and could only participate in three of the five contests.

According to Akhtar, "I wasn't healthy enough." Suno News HD. "I could participate in three of the five games. In 2002, I was given the position of captain, but if I had accepted, I would have had only 1.5 to 2 years of playing time, according to Akhtar.

He continued by saying that while he supports his peers, the Pakistani board is "unstable" and poorly run.

"I backed up my colleagues, but the board was incredibly shaky. There was poor administration everywhere. At that time, Pakistan itself had experienced poor administration, he continued.

Despite numerous injuries that kept Akhtar out for extended stretches of time, he was able to play for Pakistan in a total of 46 Tests, 163 ODIs, and 15 T20I matches with 178, 247, and 19 wickets, respectively, taken.