'Don't make me the scapegoat' - Shoaib

Shoaib Akhtar, whose tour of Australia was cut short by injury, has asked not to be singled out for Pakistan's defeats. Shoaib participated in all three Tests, but barring a first-innings burst in the first two Tests, he struggled to retain his hostility and purposefulness.

Clearly upset by constant criticism from former players, Shoaib has responded, saying that he had tried his best, but his fitness had failed him. "I am upset because I know I gave my best in Australia," he was quoted as saying by The News. "But If I am injured there is nothing I can do about it. Every fast bowler, even the great ones, have been prone to injuries. So I am no different."

Shoaib's attitude has come under scrutiny a number of times, most notably when he did not bowl in last year's final Test against India citing an injury, but slammed the bowlers for quick runs when he batted.

"I would only ask the board not to hold me solely responsible for the team's poor performances in Australia. Don't make me the scapegoat. Cricket is a team game and everyone is responsible for the failures."

Shoaib went on: "I am disappointed with my fitness, but not with my form. I think I bowled very well in the first two Tests and twice we had Australia on the ropes on 5 for 78 and 5 for 170, but there is no support for me at the other end and the batting also failed to click constantly in the series." He announced that he would work more on his fitness and, in a way, was happy to be back home because he could now concentrate on regaining his fitness for the tour of India.

About criticism levelled at him by Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, Shoaib said they ought to understand his predicament. "They should not try to run me down. They have played enough cricket to know that without proper support it is very hard there at the top level. I need support at the other end. Every good fast bowler needs support all the time. He can't do it alone all the time."