Shoaib Akhtar will retire from all international cricket when Pakistan exit the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup.

He told his Pakistan team-mates of the decision at the Premadasa Stadium on Thursday morning, during an emotional gathering in which he delivered a farewell speech and was embraced by fellow players and support staff.

Privately, over the last few months, Shoaib had been looking at the World Cup as a final hurrah for a body increasingly unable to cope with the rigours of the international game. The tournament itself has been a mixed one for him: he was outstanding through ten overs in Pakistan’s win over Sri Lanka. But after an impressive opening spell against New Zealand he was taken for 28 runs in his final over, bowling a succession of waist high full tosses at Ross Taylor as New Zealand changed the game.

He was dropped for the subsequent Zimbabwe game – having earlier been rested in the game against Canada – and it was as much for his performance as continuing concerns over his ability to be at optimum operation in his second and third spells.

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The South African Proteas progressed to the quarter finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup by beating exiting Ireland by 131 runs in their Group B league clash in Kolkota on Tuesday.

The win lifted South Africa to eight points with a match against Bangladesh left in its league itinerary. For Ireland, this World Cup is all but over. It is left with one more game in the league phase — against the Netherlands here on Friday.

Put in to bat, South Africa amassed 272 for seven in 50 overs which proved to be an insurmountable target for the Irish. They simply collapsed for 141 in 33.2 overs.

Known for its ability to stretch better sides, Ireland showed a total lack of application against some inspired bowling by South Africa. Morne Morkel dismissed the two openers — both taken in the slips — before the team could put 20 runs on the board.

The trend continued, with Niall O’Brien caught behind off Jacques Kallis. With the exception of Gary Wilson, who stitched together a 48-ball 31, the rest of the Ireland batsmen fell to loose shots. Much was expected of Kevin O’Brien but the big-built batsman holed out to Hashim Amla off Robin Peterson.

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South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir has been advised to take 10 days’ rest after fracturing his left thumb and might be doubtful for Saturday’s Cricket World Cup match against India.

The spinner sustained the injury during his side’s six-run defeat against England in Chennai last Sunday.

“It was a chipped fracture. Scans have been sent back to South Africa and the period of recovery recommended is for 10 days,” team manager Mohammed Moosajee said on Thursday.

“Imran bowled in the nets this morning and he’s fine because it (injury) is not on the bowling hand.

“The selectors will decide when the 10-day period starts, whether it starts now or after the game against India. Imran is pretty much part of the World Cup squad.”

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Ross Taylor (131 runs) helped the Black Caps on his 27th birthday to a comprehensive 110 run victory over Pakistan in the ICC Cricket World Cup at the Pallekele stadium on Tuesday.

Taylor benefitted from two let-offs by wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal to guide New Zealand to an imposing 302-7 before Tim Southee (3-25) restricted Pakistan to 192 in the World Cup Group A match at the newly-built stadium.

Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals and suffered their second biggest Cricket World Cup defeat, leaving a packed 30 000 crowd disappointed.

Scott Styris (2-17), Nathan McCullum (2-28) and Kyle Mills (2-43) also chipped in with useful bowling to halt Pakistan’s unbeaten progress in the tournament.

The win gave New Zealand – six points from four matches – top position in Group A on a better run-rate.

Pakistan also have six points from four matches, followed by Sri Lanka (five from four) and Australia (five from three).

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English cricketers that are aiming to play in the Indian Premier League next year may be forced to give up their central contracts by an adamant ECB, which has made it clear that international engagements are top priority.

England team Managing Director Hugh Morris has categorically stated that the England Cricket Board (ECB) can release the interested cricketers for only two weeks as scheduled Tests and ODI programmes cannot be altered. And those wanting to go for the full event may be asked to forego central contracts.

“We will be playing Test matches in the early part of May and clearly that will have an impact on the amount of time that players may or may not go to IPL.

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