Mohali: Shoaib Akhtar was the bowler that Indian fans feared the most. They hated to see the Rawalpindi Express, as he was known, running up to bowl and dismissing the top Indian batsmen. Today the same fans are eager to see him play for the last time.
Akhtar has announced his retirement after the World Cup, but the question is whether Pakistan will give him that one more match before he hangs up his boots. Though Akhtar is no longer the terror he used to be with the ball, fans still fear he can destroy the Indian batting line up, if picked.
People here even now recall how he destroyed India in the Pepsi Cup in 1999 — getting rid of Rahul Dravid for a duck and Virender Sehwag for just one run to help Pakistan win the match.
So the first question for vice-captain Misbah Ul Haq, when he came out after practice was: Will Akhtar be picked for the India match?
"The team management will decide after seeing the pitch whether he will play or not," said Haq.
In the past he was never picked based on the quality of the wicket. He could wreck any team on any wicket.
Pace and bounce
When questioned again on whether he would be useful for some quick wickets, especially in Mohali which is expected to assist pace, Haq said: "Akhtar is a class bowler. He has performed for Pakistan on a number of occasions, including the 1999 World Cup."
Despite being ignored by the Pakistan team, Akhtar is a hit among the fans here. He joked with everyone and bowled as fast as he could at the practice nets.
He also actively participated in the fielding session taking some good catches.
The terror has mellowed down a lot these days, and keeps to himself, going about what he has to do very quietly.
In the past, he used to make his presence felt with something or the other. Akhtar was seen talking to Harmeet Singh, who was one among the practice net bowlers from Punjab.
When Singh was asked as to what Akhtar had told him, he said: "Shoaib Bhai [brother] told me to bowl as fast as I can and reminded me to never stop trying."
Fan favourite
As Akhtar reached the exit, a number of fans who managed to get inside the stadium after pulling some strings crowded around him.
Though security details shooed them away, Akhtar told them not to and even obliged them with autographs.
"Shoaib bhai. We want to see you play, but don't get Sachin Tendulkar out," a fan was heard shouting.
