Speedy Shoaib signed as cover for Pretorius

By Jon Steer
June 23 2003

Shoaib Ahktar, Pakistan's Rawalpindi Express has signed to play for Durham for the remainder of the season. The signing should certainly help boost our pace attack which has been depleted by the loss of Pretorius and Harmison to international duties.

Shoaib is the only bowler to have been recorded at over 100mph. While in the past he has shown poor discipline and there have been reports of his lack of motivation, Shoaib says that he will take the opportunity of playing for Durham as a way of silencing his critics in this country and really showing what he can do.

The Durham management team have shown themselves adept at bringing in major signings, as well as the contracted opverseas players Martin Love and Dewald Pretorius, both members of thier respective test squads Durham has also now atrracted Javaghal Srinath and Shoaib Akhtar, two of the games best known bowlers for spells at the Riverside.

The young bowling squad we have should benefit from the experience of Shoaib who has played in 25 test matches for Pakistan, having taken 88 wickets at an average of just over 27 runs. Shoaib has also played 87 one day internationals, taking 137 wickets.

With two championship wins already this season, there is the hope of promotion if we can continue to put together solid performances. Shoaib's signing can only help that and the possibility of seeing Shoaib and Harmy steaming in for Durham towards the end of the season is a great prospect to look forward to.

As long as Trescothick doesn't get a chance to treat him in the same way as he did in the recent one day internationals when Somerset visit the Riverside we should be onto a winner!