We have all heard this joke at the expense of somebody or other:

First man: Why did you take an instant dislike to Joe Bloggs?

Second man: To save time later on.

If the five-year ban imposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Shoaib Akhtar today sounds harsh then they, too, have at least saved themselves many hours of disciplinary hearings in the year ahead. Shoaib has been such a serial offender that few misdemeanours have gone uncommitted.

Perhaps it tells us something about administrators that the longest sentence of this troubled career should not follow a failed drugs test or a physical assault on a team mate (Shoaib has ticked off those two) but some outspoken comments directed at the PCB after their decision not to offer him a central contract.

It is not too cynical to believe that if the board had thought that Shoaib still had something to offer then his suspension would been more lenient. Instead, he has spent most of the past year injured. His commitment in India was questioned recently and he was dropped for the forthcoming one-day series against Bangladesh.

The only surprise in the PCB losing confidence in Shoaib is that it took them so long. Yes, at a time when bat is dominating ball his record of 178 Test wickets at little more than 25 apiece places him among the leading pace bowlers in the world. He was indulged by captains and coaches because he was special.

Yet this is a seriously unfulfilled talent. In 11 years he made only 46 Test appearances. I watched him for the first time in 1997, for Pakistan A in a friendly against Gloucestershire at Bristol. He glided in from close to the sightscreen and delivered the single most hostile ball I have ever seen. Had Mark Alleyne not fended it off his throat to gully it may have killed him.

Never say never with Pakistan cricket, but this looks like being the end of the road. Do not feel sorry. Shoaib already has a deal to play in the Indian Premier League having been talked into appearing by Shah Rukh Khan, the Bollywood star who owns the Calcutta franchise. I'm just waiting for Shoaib the Movie - a sure certificate 18

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