Shoaib Akhtar: I am a much calmer person

Dubai: There is never a dull moment with Shoaib Akhtar, be it bowling or in expressing his views about the game. Once the most fearsome bowler, Akhtar has always loved to take on challenges and wielded questions on the game and Pakistan with the same ease with which he scared batsmen around the world with his pace and aggression.

In Dubai to launch the second edition of the Sprite Cricket Stars’ programme, organised by the Ministry of Labour, Akhtar said after interacting with the labourers: “I was delighted to be close with those who came to watch me during my playing days but did not have access to me. I will share everything with them and help them to boost their talent. Labourers are those who built today’s Dubai and I will be delighted if I can contribute to their happiness.”

Akhtar’s remark stunned everyone as fans have only seen him as an aggressive cricketer. When asked if he has undergone a transformation, Akhtar said: “You all have seen me only on the field. Off the field, I am a much calmer person. I have retired now and hence you see the way I am.”

When asked whether he will roll his arm over and bowl a few overs during the tournament, scheduled to begin from May 24 and to be played on all Fridays, Akhtar said in a lighter vein: “I will bowl more than a few overs for the people who can dare to face me.” The final for the event is scheduled for September 20 where he will come again to give the prizes.

Pakistan’s new pace sensation Ahmad Jamal, who clocked 143 kmph to win the Pakistan Cricket Board’s ‘King of Pace’ competition had named Akhtar as his inspiration. Commenting on it, Akhtar said: “I am happy to hear he is bowing at 143kmh. He should bowl even faster with the right kind of guidance. Anyone who wants my help I am ready to offer. I am willing to help anyone voluntarily. Jamal has potential and what he need is moral support on how to handle pressure. I don’t want to take any job from the board to help cricketers.

“I had spent 21 years on the field as a player and do not want to spend another 21 years more on the field. I am ready to help any pacer, even in Dubai or any part of the world. Jamal should be helped mentally, physically and morally. So I hope if Mohammad Aamir comes back and Mohammad Irfan’s legs get stronger then Pakistan will have one of the finest pace attack in the world.”

Akhtar is not really impressed at the decision of Pakistan appointing a new batting coach. “I am not a huge fan of coaching. Coaching is needed when you are 16 or 18 not when you over 26. This game is all about captaincy and if a captain is larger than life, who can think big and is a visionary, who is like a father figure and then the team will respond well.

“Honestly, I don’t agree with the idea of coaching with laptops. Most of the players in my era such as Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Saqlain Mushtaq were above coaching. They needed only a mental and management coach.”

Akhtar believes that Pakistan can win the upcoming Champions Trophy in June. “Pakistan is one of the best teams in the world. We have won One-dayers and Twenty20 but our batsmen need to play the full 50 overs. If they don’t bat full 50 overs, then they don’t have a chance. I am sorry to say that no matter how talented we are, we may not win.”

What about Shahid Afridi being dropped for the Champions Trophy? “Afridi has huge amount of talent but with age catching up, he needs to perform most of the days. There is a lot of pressure on him now, I have been through the same stage. He needs to plan his retirement. He has to manage his workload and inform the board accordingly. He needs to be sent off with dignity.”