‘You chose money over country’: Sohaib Akhtar lashes out at AB de Villiers

Criticizing former Proteas cricketer AB de Villiers for offering to come out of retirement for ICC World Cup 2019, former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has said ex-South African superstar 'chose money over country'.

Akhtar shared a video of himself, in which he said Villiers ‘chose money over country’ and decided not to play World Cup, despite having left some two years of cricket left in him. “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 and announced an early retirement,” Akhtar said in the video message.

“So basically everything started with finance. I think when he took this decision, he did it looking at his finances and economics. The timing of this revelation raises serious questions (with South Africa performing poorly in the World Cup),” he added.

Just days ago ESPNcricinfo reported that the former South Afican captain had approached skipper Faf du Plessis, coach Ottis Gibson and convener of selectors Linda Zondi with his thought but his request was "not even considered."