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"Sarfaraz's stomach was sticking out, the first captain I've seen who is so unfit" : Shoaib Akhtar

He could and should have worded it better.

However some of the Pak players look unfit and overweight and this needs addressing.
 
I'm no fan of Sarfaraz but as somebody that has studied genetics and physiology the comments on here and those of Shoaib Akhtar's are so ignorant. :facepalm:

You need to go back and study more. If that's your knowledge I feel you have been duped by your university..
 
Anyone justifying pack of fitness doesn't understand sports and shouldn't complain if their team never becomes dominant.
 
He could and should have worded it better.

However some of the Pak players look unfit and overweight and this needs addressing.

That's like asking Akhtar to bowl leg-spin - simply incapable of expressing his views with any moderation.
 
"One positive was that Amir took wickets and bowled fast. He was putting effort, Hasan Ali got exposed and got hit around"

Did I watch some other match? Amir was grunting every time to deliver 128-134kph thunderbolts. He's a military medium pacer. :nasir
 
And another pic of Sarfaraz - not looking good this

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While I'm no fan of Akhtar, the analyst, but Sarfraz's fitness is pathetic!

If you cannot control your weight, that too while captaining you national team, there should be no sympathy or leniency shown to you.

Sarfraz just doesn't look the part! No matter how many yo-yo tests he pass, he's still huffing and puffing at the crease after facing a couple of over. His keeping is mediocre to say the least.

If a guy can't motivate himself to lose a few kilos for WORLD CUP, I wonder how he can motivate others.

It is really hard to be a Sarfraz supporter these day.

I second everything you said.. Sarfraz is not helping his cause by his lack of fitness but i know people will find 100 other reasons to criticize him.. the only way he can answer his critics is by performance so lets see whats he got..
 
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"What to talk about today's match, what can we say while fasting"

"Pakistan has played cowardly cricket today. They were bowling short at 145kph and the batsmen ran away"

"They didn't look interested or united. I don't even think Pakistan were there in Nottingham"

"One positive was that Amir took wickets and bowled fast. He was putting effort, Hasan Ali got exposed and got hit around"

"It's Pakistan's first match, as a nation we still have to back them"

"In 1999 we got out on 132, in 1992 we got out for 74"

"When Sarfaraz came for the toss, his stomach was sticking out and his face was so fat. The first captain I've seen who is so unfit. He's not able to move across, he's struggling with keeping. I don't understand team selection. Shoaib Malik has been dropped and he'll be brought back in 2 games"

"Pakistan needs to focus, please look interested. It was very hurtful to see Pakistan lose like this"

Says the guy who spent most of his career unfit as a player but was given fast bowler exemption because somehow he belonged to an elite breed who's lineage skill wise tracked back to Imran, Wasim and Waqar.

Also the guy was never considered for captaincy despite playing in the team for almost 14 years. I dont think Sarfraz needs to listen to a guy who barely ever got the chance to be a guy at the helm of affairs
 
Sarfaraz is everybody's favourite punching bag these days. Seeing him broken at the press conference was not a pretty sight. He should resign and leave with dignity. See if that helps Pakistan's problems. Off the 11 match losing streak 6 came when Sarf wasn't even captain.

Should resign with his head held high, PP is under the false impression that Sarfaraz is the only one holding back this legendary team.

Where did you see him broken down? Any video of this? Very sad if true
 
Bro, Sarfraz is also not helping his own case.
Looking all depress and stuff doesn't help.

Thing is, as a captain, he should be performing atleast. If the other players are not doing well, the captain is required to perform and lead from the front. If the captain himself ain't gonna perform, such comments will come.

If Sarfraz is performing and the team sucks, then criticism wont be falling towards sarfraz, but if he also sucks then he should be ready to give more depressed press conference.

THe Pakistani captain always have to face extra scrutiny, remember that.

Akhtar is the same guy that attacked Misbah in 2015 world cup and called him a buzdil kaptaan despite Misbah performing in almost every game. This guy is pathetic when it comes to analyzing his own team but you'll somehow see him sober up in front of an Indian news channel and take crap that is thrown at him by Sehwag and Gambhir just because he will make a few bucks from them with IPL commentary stints.

Ofcourse I'm talking about 2015 back in the day when our explayers still used to travel to India for the IPL.
 
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2hqj6q

Akhtar's vile comments about Misbah in 2015. Called him a buzdil and selfish kaptaan and then made comments about his English speaking. Called him the worse captain in the history of our cricket. So Shoaib bhai has a history of these extremely emotional and crude remarks
 
Don’t like to be all personal on Sarfraz but Shoaib is right. Sarfraz is the skipper and has to lead.

He constantly cries about our fielding and how the rest aren’t fit enough but he himself isn’t fit either. Sarfraz has to lead by example. If he wants to win matches, he needs to come out with the intent to win, instead he comes out looking depressed. No wonder the players are demoralized and can’t win.
 
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"What to talk about today's match, what can we say while fasting"

"Pakistan has played cowardly cricket today. They were bowling short at 145kph and the batsmen ran away"

"They didn't look interested or united. I don't even think Pakistan were there in Nottingham"

"One positive was that Amir took wickets and bowled fast. He was putting effort, Hasan Ali got exposed and got hit around"

"It's Pakistan's first match, as a nation we still have to back them"

"In 1999 we got out on 132, in 1992 we got out for 74"

"When Sarfaraz came for the toss, his stomach was sticking out and his face was so fat. The first captain I've seen who is so unfit. He's not able to move across, he's struggling with keeping. I don't understand team selection. Shoaib Malik has been dropped and he'll be brought back in 2 games"

"Pakistan needs to focus, please look interested. It was very hurtful to see Pakistan lose like this"

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Little perspective.
 
While Sarfraz deserves criticism for his lack of fitness, Akhtar needs to stop making jazbaati personal attacks.
 
It's another example of how Sarfraz fails to set the right example. He doesn't lead from the front with the bat and in the field recently cuts a demotivated figure.

It's embarassing when you compare him to other captains in the world. Jason Holder works tirelessly for his team with bat and ball. Kohli, Morgan and Williamson are either the best player in the team or one of the best. We on the hand have Sarfraz "I like Beef Qorma" Ahmed.

However Akhtar is a hypocrite. This guy didn't even turn up to the 2007 WC because he was scared he'd fail another drug test so faked an injury. In the 2011 WC he was unfit yet is lecturing about fitness.
 
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Little perspective.

At his prime his fitness level were great. Better than most fast bowlers of his era. Please don't comparr him with Sarfraz whose fitness level dropped the moment he became captain. He never took responsibility needed to captain a big team like Pakistan. When you are captain of the team,a lot more is expected from you. Your own performance, your leadership and your fitness levels to set the tone for rest of the players. Sarfraz fitness is so bad he acts like a robot behind the stumps now a days and never dives anything that goes to his left or right. He doesn't even bother.
 
While Sarfraz deserves criticism for his lack of fitness, Akhtar needs to stop making jazbaati personal attacks.

Ridiculing others fitness level is not a personal attack mate. He is captaining Pakistan team not Uganda.
 
Ridiculing others fitness level is not a personal attack mate. He is captaining Pakistan team not Uganda.
It is a personal attack. He could and should have phrased it a lot better, as he has a responsibility to propogate his views in a professional manner.
 
Ridiculing others fitness level is not a personal attack mate. He is captaining Pakistan team not Uganda.

Whole heartedly agreed with you. It's not personal when you are representing your nation in sports. Fitness of a player in sports is anything but personal. We are not ready to accept faults in ourselves. We are not ready to accept we are poor at fitness. This behavior is only an extension of our real life other situations i.e. we are number 1 at everything and always have excuses for our failures
 
While there is some truth in what Shoaib is saying, we should get used to such controversial remarks given the recent trend of former cricketers starting youtube channels. This is also about staying relevant and getting more subscribers. The way things are going it is not long before Tanvir Ahmad and Imran Nazir will also make there youtube channels for dispensing pearls of wisdom.
 
On a serious note, sarfaraz was never going to be a good captain. The man who has been hiding down the order is a testament to his lack of judgement, cowardice and laziness. He thinks by batting in that position he could have played the role Misbah had played for Pakistan in all those year without realizing he is not half the batsman Misbah was. He has been a passenger in the team and on top of being pathetically unfit his constant crying from behind the stumps when the going gets tough has put the team under added pressure. I am yet to see this pakistan team coming out of difficult position when that used to be the strength of the pak teams of the past.
 
I wonder all the keyboard warriors posting and commenting on this thread how fit they really are themselves. I bet 70 percent of you have a tummy double the size of sarfaraz.

Not me mate, so I am quite happy to call out Sarfraz for being a teletubby. In any case, fans aren't paid to be professional sportsmen so expectations should rightly be different.
 
I wonder all the keyboard warriors posting and commenting on this thread how fit they really are themselves. I bet 70 percent of you have a tummy double the size of sarfaraz.

I think I could beat Sarfraz in a 100m race, but if there is a Qorma Beef Biryani at the finishing line I have no chance [MENTION=53290]Markhor[/MENTION]
 
Ex cricketers make comments like these to stay relevant .
It’s amazing how the Sarfaraz hate bridgade is out in flow . I’m sure he is hurting more than anyone . We can still turn it around . For that to happen each and every team member needs to do a self analysis of them selves .
 
He could and should have worded it better.

However some of the Pak players look unfit and overweight and this needs addressing.

Lol I think he was very polite. Everyone knows how volatile he gets when in a ****** and agitated mood. However was he sleeping under a rock all this time. This is how Sarfaraz has been since the CT victory
 
Fair to say that Sarfaraz went the Kamran Akmal way
 
Shoaib must have not been following Pakistan when Inzamam was captain.
 
Thing about Shoaib is he absolutely loves Pakistan and it breaks his heart to see us lose. Yes he isn't the most polished person but it comes from an excess of love rather than a shortage of it.
 
Thing about Shoaib is he absolutely loves Pakistan and it breaks his heart to see us lose. Yes he isn't the most polished person but it comes from an excess of love rather than a shortage of it.

But is he not also getting paid for his dramatic views?
 
If you're making a living out of playing sports, you should at least work on to be fit. It's not a lifetime commitment either. No one is expecting you to be at peak fitness, but at least get rid of the pot belly.
 
If you're making a living out of playing sports, you should at least work on to be fit. It's not a lifetime commitment either. No one is expecting you to be at peak fitness, but at least get rid of the pot belly.

There’s not a proper ”fitness culture” in Pakistan. Our professional players of the most popular sport in the nation eat junk food before a major tournament. That should be enough for anyone to realize that we simply don’t care about fitness levels.
 
There’s not a proper ”fitness culture” in Pakistan. Our professional players of the most popular sport in the nation eat junk food before a major tournament. That should be enough for anyone to realize that we simply don’t care about fitness levels.

Didn't they have Pepsi breaks in the 90s? Or was that just a sponsoring ploy.
 
Sarfraz knew of the level of scrutiny when he took the job.

His fitness has been disgusting; look at a guy like Holder or Kohli and then Sarfraz.

The level of body fat he has is appalling for the captain of a national team.
 
What do you expect from Sarfaraz? He admitted in an interview that he cannot stop himself from eating biryani's and nihair's.

His fitness levels are pathetic. The sooner he is booted from the team the better.

Since Inzi has had more and more influence over the team, players like Sarfaraz and Imad have become unfit with an embarrassing hanging belly and chest. It's shameful.
 
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Little perspective.

He was never the captain.

And he’s 35+ in these photos while Sarfraz is in his prime.

Perhaps more than a “little perspective” is required when comparing the fitness levels of a genetic freak and a lazy couch potato.
 
There’s not a proper ”fitness culture” in Pakistan. Our professional players of the most popular sport in the nation eat junk food before a major tournament. That should be enough for anyone to realize that we simply don’t care about fitness levels.

Maybe. But I have seen wrestlers in Gujranwala who are in better shape.
 
He was never the captain.

And he’s 35+ in these photos while Sarfraz is in his prime.

Perhaps more than a “little perspective” is required when comparing the fitness levels of a genetic freak and a lazy couch potato.

Dude also had a severe knee problem towards the final stages of his career. He confirmed things got so bad that he had difficulty running and he wanted to avoid running because the pain in his knees was just too much and that is the reason why he developed body fat in the end. He wishes that medical technology had advanced to the point where he could have opted for knee replacement surgeries.
 
And yours was bigger when you played 2011 WC and you somehow still say that had you played against India in the semi final you'd win us the cup. LOL. Boozing too much bhai.

I know it's ironical when Shoaib talks about fitness. But still he cranked it up at 158kph in the WC match against SL.
 
In my imagination i see Ranatunga polishing his wc winning medal and laughing at shoaib while reading this comments!
 
People can say Ranatunga, Inzimam and Trescothic, Shane Warne. These guys were match winners and elite players.

Sarfaraz is not im afraid.
 
He was never the captain.

And he’s 35+ in these photos while Sarfraz is in his prime.

Perhaps more than a “little perspective” is required when comparing the fitness levels of a genetic freak and a lazy couch potato.

Not to mention he had been a proven match winner for 5 or so years before he hit a low in his life with drugs and ill discipline.

Sarfraz had a “purple” patch in tests that last 2 years and some ODI performances here and there before he declined sharply 2016 onward.
 
That was pretty rude from Shoaib, someone of his stature should have worded it better. That being said Sarfi really needs to improve on his fitness, captain of a national cricket team should not look like a halwai.
 
People can say Ranatunga, Inzimam and Trescothic, Shane Warne. These guys were match winners and elite players.

Sarfaraz is not im afraid.

In addition to that, Inzi, Rana, etc, played in an era where fitness wasn't taken as seriously as it is now.

It boggles my mind that someone who gets paid to play a sport is not in peak shape in a time where even regular people are becoming shredded.

I blame it on the Pakistani culture, thinking that we have 'natural talent' and its enough, as well as this 'Allah pay chordo', its backwards and to progress we need players to work hard, get shredded, turn those singles into twos, make it easier to get catches, less run outs. Logic prevails at the end of the day, but sadly logic is very slow when it comes to us.
 
I think performance must always be preferred over fitness, but to be honest not even performance is on Sarfaraz's side nowadays.
 
Sarfaraz is everybody's favourite punching bag these days.Seeing him broken at the press conference was not a pretty sight. He should resign and leave with dignity. See if that helps Pakistan's problems. Off the 11 match losing streak 6 came when Sarf wasn't even captain.

Should resign with his head held high, PP is under the false impression that Sarfaraz is the only one holding back this legendary team.

That's because he looks like a punching bag these days. :jk
 
Talking of winners who may have body shape issue....

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Anthony Joshua sensationally beaten by Andy Ruiz Jr at Madison Square Garden
 
In addition to that, Inzi, Rana, etc, played in an era where fitness wasn't taken as seriously as it is now.

It boggles my mind that someone who gets paid to play a sport is not in peak shape in a time where even regular people are becoming shredded.

I blame it on the Pakistani culture, thinking that we have 'natural talent' and its enough, as well as this 'Allah pay chordo', its backwards and to progress we need players to work hard, get shredded, turn those singles into twos, make it easier to get catches, less run outs. Logic prevails at the end of the day, but sadly logic is very slow when it comes to us.
In addition to that, neither of them were keepers. It's criminal to see Sarfraz not diving for catches in his radar. Sarfraz lqck of fitness has also resulted in many run outs and confusion with running.
 
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the thid of sarfii causing issues...but i am sure by now he must have chomped 3-4 biriyanis and nihari..
 
People criticise Akhtar out of pure envy and jealousy, he is a handsome fella, all the women want him, he drives flashy cars, got more money then Sarfraz and bowled freakishly quick during prime and made millions of new cricket fans after not just breaking 100mph barrier but that main stream barrier / appeal amongst all audiences including non-cricket fans. I only see these reasons for the attacks purely because he stated the damn obvious....Sarfraz will always be 5 levels below Akhtar, but he should be concerned about his fitness and so should his fans instead of going after a guy who isn't even active anymore; the challenge is this, to criticise Sarfraz for his big tid and also to encourage him to lay off the bad stuff in this tournament, at the very least control his Qorma Beef Biryani portion, it's all well and good showing devastation after a defeat but you need to put the work in, that shows how much passion you really have to win and just giving your all. Anyway, I will always back the boys and we will smash England!
 
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It's easy to attack Akhtar but despise the ups and downs he reached a notoriety in cricket Sarfraz can only dream off plus his point stands. That aside, he is in terrible shape for a WK especially and clearly hadn't been this fat in CT 17

Shoaib's a big boy, he took plenty of criticism in his time, he can take it as well as give it, for that reason I don't have a problem with his outspoken views. What he says is absolutely right even if it does put a few noses out of joint.
 
Shoaib's a big boy, he took plenty of criticism in his time, he can take it as well as give it, for that reason I don't have a problem with his outspoken views. What he says is absolutely right even if it does put a few noses out of joint.

Totally agree mate I found it shocking how how he rustled so many feathers, I have no issues with how he communicated his views at all. It's just the truth and he is a passionate fan as well, many say a lot worse in the heat of the moment but Sarfraz needs to put a bit of effort in he is not playing club cricket :facepalm:
 
It was so funny to watch.. that is why he is loved in India as he rails against his own players here in India to make a few bucks
 
Totally agree mate I found it shocking how how he rustled so many feathers, I have no issues with how he communicated his views at all. It's just the truth and he is a passionate fan as well, many say a lot worse in the heat of the moment but Sarfraz needs to put a bit of effort in he is not playing club cricket :facepalm:

I am exactly the same. Back in Shoaib's playing days a lot of Pakistan fans hated him, gave him the nickname Showbiz Actor. :91:

But I liked the guy, totally passionate player who blew hot and cold a bit to be sure, but give me someone like that over the tame hamsters we have wearing the green shirt nowadays every time.
 
I like Shoaib but I think he needs put his feet back on the ground.

There was no need to make the fat belly comment. That was uncalled for.

Shoaib also had fitness issues. A lot worse and more dangerous than Sarfraz's belly.

Shoaib abused his body during his career and was notoriously unfit throughout his career.

He was very fortunate to have a career as a cricketer with that hyper extended arm of his. Of course it wasn't his fault, he was born that way. But this elbow of his enabled him to get a big advantage and allowed him to bowl as fast as he did. With a proper straight arm and his crap fitness he wouldn't have had a career as a cricketer.

Also Shoaib and his contemporaries like Afridi are uncouth and unschooled. They are known to make daft comments as their mental capacity to make proper, respectful grown up comments is limited.

Shoaib isn't getting anywhere near the big commentary gigs with the big networks like Wasim and Waqar are etc. Bechara has to make do with local channel punditry. This also irks him so he makes loud daft comments from time to time out of frustration.

It also doesn't help that he hasn't been to India for a while, especially on their dance shows where he would shake a leg and get to satisfy his Bollywood urges.

Despite the above I like Shoaib and he's actually a good guy but he needs to control his ego.
 
Sarfraz has earned this criticism. Since, he became captain, every aspect of his game has suffered. It shows how he takes things for granted.

I have never seen a worse player/captain leading Pakistan in my 25 years of watching cricket.

Can’t bat, can’t lead, and a complete embarrassment off the field.
 
I won't name names but I was stood near the pavilion at Trent Bridge on Friday. A few of the Pak players walked past me - honestly some did not look like professional sportsmen.

Some nice places to eat in UK and it looks like some of the boys are enjoying the cuisine.
 
I won't name names but I was stood near the pavilion at Trent Bridge on Friday. A few of the Pak players walked past me - honestly some did not look like professional sportsmen.

Some nice places to eat in UK and it looks like some of the boys are enjoying the cuisine.
Imad, Harris, Sarfaraz etc.

Malik or Fakhar seem the fittest blokes.
 
He is wrong! Arjuna Ranatunga's stomach was always sticking out as well even when he captained Sri Lanka to their World Cup win:inzi2
 
I won't name names but I was stood near the pavilion at Trent Bridge on Friday. A few of the Pak players walked past me - honestly some did not look like professional sportsmen.

Some nice places to eat in UK and it looks like some of the boys are enjoying the cuisine.

Why not name and shame them instead of not naming?
 
[utube]oYke-G32Jo0[/utube]

Shoaib Akhtar lashes out at Moin Khan for his defence of Sarfaraz Ahmed:


"One of our former captain has said some things about me - he is a former captain and I do wonder how in Pakistan any average person can be made captain by the Board"

"I have respected him for 20 years and have not said anything about him but without descending to his level, I will give my replies"

"He has said that if Shoaib Akhtar was sincere with Pakistan then he would have 450 wickets"

"So the first thing, Moin Khan Sahib, is that I do have 450 wickets in total in international cricket"

"If you look carefully, you will see that I have helped my side to many international series single-handedly, more than you can ever dream of"

"And if you had been sincere with Pakistan then when Rashid Latif, who is a better human, a better 'keeper and a better batsman appeared on the scene, you should have taken off your gloves in the first place"

"A man gets 450 wickets when his captain is Imran Khan and not Moin Khan"

"Good players are made by playing under good leaders"

"Its your good fortune that you played under some excellent seniors and our misfortune that we played with people like you"

"So if anyone didnt know you in India or Pakistan, after this video mention, they will know you so that is a favour I have done for you"
 
I won't name names but I was stood near the pavilion at Trent Bridge on Friday. A few of the Pak players walked past me - honestly some did not look like professional sportsmen.

Some nice places to eat in UK and it looks like some of the boys are enjoying the cuisine.

Surely PCB has the money, resources to hire a nutritionist, cook on tour for the players and to prepare healthy delicious meals from them throughout the tour.
 
Totally agree mate I found it shocking how how he rustled so many feathers, I have no issues with how he communicated his views at all. It's just the truth and he is a passionate fan as well, many say a lot worse in the heat of the moment but Sarfraz needs to put a bit of effort in he is not playing club cricket :facepalm:

I would like to see this man give the same cringeworthy views he gives on our channels and then see how long he lasts in the IPL or any other commentary team
 
[utube]oYke-G32Jo0[/utube]

Shoaib Akhtar lashes out at Moin Khan for his defence of Sarfaraz Ahmed:


"One of our former captain has said some things about me - he is a former captain and I do wonder how in Pakistan any average person can be made captain by the Board"

"I have respected him for 20 years and have not said anything about him but without descending to his level, I will give my replies"

"He has said that if Shoaib Akhtar was sincere with Pakistan then he would have 450 wickets"

"So the first thing, Moin Khan Sahib, is that I do have 450 wickets in total in international cricket"

"If you look carefully, you will see that I have helped my side to many international series single-handedly, more than you can ever dream of"

"And if you had been sincere with Pakistan then when Rashid Latif, who is a better human, a better 'keeper and a better batsman appeared on the scene, you should have taken off your gloves in the first place"

"A man gets 450 wickets when his captain is Imran Khan and not Moin Khan"

"Good players are made by playing under good leaders"

"Its your good fortune that you played under some excellent seniors and our misfortune that we played with people like you"

"So if anyone didnt know you in India or Pakistan, after this video mention, they will know you so that is a favour I have done for you"

Shoaib Akhtar on the charge!
 
Shoaib Akhtar on the charge!

In almost all his interviews and talks Shoaib mentions himself as a humble and intelligent person and the rest of his contemporaries as uneducated, jahils, lacking class. But in the end he always shows that he too belongs to their level.
 
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