“Play me less” says Shoaib

Shoaib Akhtar has come out saying he wants to play less one-day internationals to try and extend his Test career.

Akhtar is one of a few remaining fast bowlers in the international game with Brett Lee, Shane Bond and Steve Harmison being the others.

All four have suffered endless injuries in their careers to date, and Akhtar told media, “with the amount of cricket played today, expecting us to be fit all year is impossible.”

“I have asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and my captain to play me more in Test matches and less in one-day internationals.”

Akhtar told Reuters he had rung and spoken to Black Caps fast bowler Shane Bond and told him he understands his injury frustrations and that to “just stay fit, it will be good for cricket, and people want to see fast bowlers, especially in India.”

Akhtar has played 42 Tests and 133 one-day internationals for Pakistan after making his debut in 1997/98.