The enigma that is Shoaib Akhtar

It took two days. Two days into yet another return for Shoaib for this return to become emblematic of an entire career. Where who knows what could have been, who knows what peaks could have been reached and what wonders created.

It began so stunningly. The first spell, six overs, each faster and more menacing than the one before, yielding two wickets and only seventeen runs. The second spell, more menacing, a yorker that almost maimed Shaun Pollock, with five overs, two wickets and twenty runs. You could see the deer in headlights look with almost all the batsmen who just couldn't figure out how this fellow could have been called unfit just three weeks ago, and was now bowling fast enough to make them all look like high school cricketers. One could really contend that Shoaib Akhtar was back. Even Shoaib himself was surprised with his performance, and he was truly happy to be back, and he told everyone.

Pakistan did well in the second innings to get to 265, mostly built on Inzamam's amazing 92. Yet, when the innings was over, came the stunner. Shoaib Akhtar had pulled up lame with an injured hamstring. The all-purpose scans were pending, but it was deemed doubtful that he would return for the second innings. Eleven overs, two spells is all it took to symbolize Shoaib's entire career. Express, menacing, deadly pace coming from a body which is too fragile to carry the burden express fast bowling places upon it. I am almost heartbroken.