NEWS
COLUMNS
INTERVIEWS
SCHEDULES

The Rediff Cricket Interview/ Shoaib Akhtar

'Bobby Simpson tried to ruin my career'

Shoaib Akhtar on Real Audio

He is a man obsessed with speed, and dreams of darting the cherry faster than anyone. Meet Shoaib Akhtar, the pace sensation from Pakistan who bowled the fastest ball ever in Sharjah on March 28. A thunderbolt timed at 156 kmph.

The young 'wild horse', as he calls himself, returned to the game after an ICC ban almost cut short his career. Now that he is back, he swears to break the 100 mph barrier.

In an exclusive interview with Faisal Shariff in Sharjah, the 'Rawalpindi Express' speaks about the fear that stalked him when he was banned. He claims that all his talk of being the best during the ban was rubbish and a facade, meant to fool the world and hide his disappointment.

Do you think success has come too early for you?

I know I have the talent and this is the way I have always been. I don't bother too much about anything. I'm doing good. So far, so good.

Your career is going at breakneck speed...

Nothing comes early. God decides when he has to give it to me and then gives it. We can't do anything about it. I think God has been very kind to me.

What kind of hard work has gone into your game?

Lots of hard work. I don't need to tell you that. It's a very personal thing. I do lots of things to be perfect and keep fit. We have to work hard, else we can't survive in this field. I'm enjoying my cricket and doing alright. I'm glad the way the ICC has lifted the ban and allowed me to play cricket again.

I have a fitness problem. There is just too much cricket these days. The past three years have just been a bit too hectic for us. There is too much of bloody cricket being played. But I try to keep myself fit.

Shoaib, what was it like when you were banned briefly by the ICC? What thoughts went through your mind when you found out, just a day after landing in Australia, that you had been barred from playing?

I couldn't believe the nine wise men who passed the judgement. I said, 'They can't do this to me.' Nobody told me that I have a suspect action. Even the greatest bowlers have seen my action and they believe there is nothing wrong with it. In fact, they say that my action is perfect.

When they called for the ban I packed my stuff and was ready to go to England to live the rest of my life. They told me to change my action, make it right, put things back in action and come back again. I said I can't do that. I said I'm going to England because I got my house down there. I said I will never play cricket again.

When did you start playing cricket?

I started playing serious cricket at 19, 20.

Did you start playing cricket as a fast bowler?

Yeah, very fast...(laughs)

Faster than now?

Could be…. no, not faster than now.

What do you think should be done to take care of the interests of the players? First it was Murali, now you…

You are talking about the ICC, yeah? There is absolutely no security for the guys who are playing for the country. There should be a council of players. There should be something for the players which protects the guys. It can't be up to them. Ban him; then ban him. Who next? And that too without giving reasons. It must be a joke for them.

Bobby Simpson, I think, is one of the main @*&^%$ here. He tried to ruin Murali's career; now my career. I mean I can't believe it. I trusted in God and knew that nothing is going to happen to me. At the most what can happen, I thought. I might not play cricket for the rest of my life. My life won’t be finished.

I made my name; I have been dubbed the 'Rawalpindi Express' around the world. What more do I want? Nothing else. So I packed my bags and said that I am off to England. I said to myself that I would never play cricket again. There are no regrets at all. It has all happened.

What can I do? I can't fight with God. But one day I prayed to God and said, 'God, just give me one more chance. I think I want to play cricket.' And I came back again. There should be councils. There should be an association for the players. But the chucking stuff is now over and the chucking panel is almost gone. And this is just because they grabbed the wrong person. Anyway good luck to them!

What is it about Pakistan? Why are there always accusations flying around them? First it was the ball-tampering controversy, then the chucking controversy...

Because we produce the world's best players; we are more talented than anyone else. We have the two master Ws; best all-rounders -- Abdur Razzaq and Azhar Mehmood; the world's best off-spinner, Saqlain Mushtaq. What else could you find in one single team?

Where does all the talent come from in Pakistan?

From the streets.

Is that where you came from?

Yeah, of course. From the footpaths. Bhai log they hum log. Dada log they. Mazaak karte they, halla gulla karte they; ladkiyon ke saath. Achanak cricket khelna shuru kardiya.

And you were a world class bowler then?

World class aise nahi banta beta. World class ke liye bada kuch karna padta hai. You can't even imagine.

What are your other interests besides cricket?

I listen to music, watch Indian movies. I love Hindi music. Nowadays I am listening to that song of Salman Khan's film from Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge-Munda Kamaal Hai. I love Salman Khan; he is a good actor. I watch a lot of Hindi films -- Akhir Hindustan kya dushman hai hamara? I also like Shah Rukh Khan a lot.

Shoaib, how do you feel about the following you have, especially amongst the fairer sex?

I take it easy, man! It's alright, so far as they are staying away from me.

Interviews