Watch: Shoaib Akhtar slams AB de Villiers, says 'be a man and stick to your decision'

Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has lambasted AB de Villiers for his offer to come back from his retirement to play in the ongoing World Cup.The entire cricketing fraternity was shocked when the news surfaced of De Villiers’ late proposal to South African cricket board.

The batsman had retired last summer citing that he was mentally tired and wanted to spend time with his family.

Although De Villiers continued playing in the T20 leagues around the world, South Africa continued to struggle. And just before South Africa were set to announce the squad, he made an offer to them. However the proposal was rejected by the South Africa cricket board.

Shoaib Akhtar has now come out and criticized De Villiers. In a recent harsh worded video on his YouTube channel, Akhtar questioned the timing of AB de’s proposal. The former Pakistani cricketer also accused De Villiers of choosing money over country as he asserted that the former Proteas captain’s decision to quit was solely based on monetary gains.

“Recently AB de Villiers announced that he wants to play for South Africa in the World Cup. This is big news but why is he issuing such statements when South Africa are down and out,” Akhtar said.

“Firstly, people must not forget that there was pressure on AB de Villiers to leave IPL and PSL contracts and make himself available for the World Cup. However, he chose the IPL and PSL, announced an early retirement and recused himself from the World Cup. So basically everything started with finance. I think when he took this decision, he did it looking at his finances and economics,” he added.

Shoaib questioned the timing of AB de Villiers’ action. The former cricketer said that the South African team was struggling when he had not retired and thus feels the action was just to clear his name.

“I don’t mind people making money but do it in the right way. If you indeed have to make money then pick and chose correctly but keep your country as the priority. Now to clear your name you made a last-ditch offer to come out of international retirement for this summer’s World Cup. But I think the management was correct in their stand,” said Akhtar.

“Now I think, you wanted to loot the whole mela and become breaking news by coming out into the team but that is not right.” ‘Jab apne faisla kar liya hai tab banda mard ka baccha banta hai aur mard ka baccha tab banta hai jab paise chor deta hai.’ (Be a man and stick to your decision and that is only possible once you let go of the lure of money), added Akhtar