australia (Shoaib Akhtar praised Brett Lee)

Former Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar has praised his Australian counterpart Brett Lee who announced his retirement from international cricket.

Akhtar and Lee were rated the fastest bowlers in the world throughout their overlapping careers.

The Australian fast bowler announced his retirement on Friday from all forms of international cricket.

The 35-year-old pacer had earlier retired from Test cricket in February 2010 after taking 310 wickets in 76 matches, but continued playing for Australia in one-day matches and in the Twenty20 arena.


Shoaib Akhtar said, "Lee without any doubt was a super athlete. He was a great fast-bowler. I know this for a fact that he was playing with pain since the last decade. It is unfortunate that people and managements don't understand the problems of a fast bowler."