Pak should know how to utilise Shoaib: Rameez

Former Pakistan skipper Rameez Raja feels controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar still have something to offer to the country but that the team management and national selectors should know how to use him properly.

Former Pakistan skipper Rameez Raja feels controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar still have something to offer to the country but that the team management and national selectors should know how to use him properly.

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"They have to decide how to use him and when to play him. Obviously there is a question mark about his fitness and readiness to play the Tests against Sri Lanka," Rameez, who have played 57 Test matches, said.

Akhtar failed to make the mark as he returned to international cricket after a gap of 14 months and went wicketless in the first match against Sri Lanka yesterday.

"The selectors and team management must decide how to nurse Akhtar through the remainder of his career and also decide in which form of the game to use him," Rameez, a cricketer-turned-commentator, added.

Rameez also pitched for the promotion of talented but untapped young bowlers in the country who, he feels, should get enough chance to justify their ability.

"There are lot of aspiring and talented young bowlers in Pakistan now a day and one has to give them a chance sometime in the near future," he said.

With Pakistan securing a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka yesterday, Rameez showered praise on skipper Shoaib Malik.

"There is no doubt in my mind now that Malik has shown definite improvement as a captain in many ways and he is now more relaxed. He looks to have a good future ahead of him."

Rameez also insisted that Pakistan should not hesitate to play at neutral venues as it was important for them to get some match practice.

"The revenues might not be the same as it would be if they play at home but at least we will get some cricket," the 46-year-old former cricketer said.