Shoaib Akhtar’s ‘running days are over’; Pakistan legend to have knee surgery

Shoaib Akhtar, one of cricket’s fastest bowlers, late on Sunday revealed the he is headed to Melbourne, Australia for a total knee replacement surgery. “My running days are over,” the Rawalpindi Express tweeted. 

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After playing the mainstay for Pakistan across formats, Akhtar retired from cricket in 2011. The 46-year-old played 46 Tests and 163 ODIs for his country in, scalping 178 and 247 wickets respectively. He also took 19 T20I wickets in 15 appearances. Akhtar played his last international game, a 50-over match, against New Zealand in 2011, in which he picked one wicket. The Pakistan legend currently analyses and comments on cricketing events on his YouTube channel.

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Akhtar posted the surgery update on his twitter handle alongside a picture of himself following what looked like a session of exercise. 

“My running days are over as am leaving for total knee replacement in Australia Melbourne very soon,” he tweeted.

Only two years ago, Akhtar had to go through a knee reconstruction surgery in Melbourne. 

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During the 14 years, he bowled in Pakistan colours, Akhtar suffered various injuries. Almost a decade after he finished his career, the Pakistan legend revealed that doctors used to drain blood out of his knees before and after every match. The Rawalpindi bowler further added that he was told that he will be able to play for just two years after making his debut.

“I was taken to the doctors after my first Test match and they told me I had about two years remaining. Doctors used to drain blood out of my knees before and after every match, fellow cricketers used to think that I was off to some club when in reality I would be at the hospital getting injected by four syringes,” Shoaib Akhtar revealed on his YouTube channel.