Potpourri!

Shoaib Akhtar, the fiery pacer from Rawalpindi, has been banned from playing international cricket for a period of five years by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) . The latest ban could potentially end Shoaib's stellar international career which has always been eclipsed by controversies and disciplinary breaches.

The latest ban was handed down after Shoaib turned down a retainership from the PCB and openly criticized the PCB for not offering him a national contract. The pacer was already on probation period for two years after hitting Mohammad Asif with a bat just before the Twenty 20 world cup. Controversies aside, Shoaib's career was also marred by injuries. He frequently suffered injuries during the course of a match which severely hampered his team's bowling arsenal.

However when he was at his peak, Shoaib was often unplayable. He consistently clocked over 90 mph and proved to be a menace for the opposition ranks. The Rawalpindi express was instrumental in Pakistan reaching the 1999 world cup finals, where they ultimately lost to the all conquering Aussies.

He has vowed to appeal against the ban. But irrespective of the verdict, he will always be remembered as a genuine entertainer who brought joy to the spectators.