Awesome Anjum
30th January 2005, 19:59
KARACHI: Pakistan’s controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has vowed to regain his fitness and be at his best for the forthcoming series in India.
The 29-year old who returned midway from the tour of Australia on Saturday told Mid Day he was aware that his regular fitness problems were not good for his reputation and image.
“Which is why I decided to come back home early and start working on my fitness. The Indian tour is a highpoint of my career and every one wants us to do well there. “I had a disappointing series against the Indians when they came to Pakistan last year. I want to be at my best this time and make amends,” Shoaib said.
Describing the Indian series of three Tests and five one-day internationals as “an exciting challenge,’ Shoaib said he was disappointed with his fitness problems but not his form in Australia. “I am upset because I know I gave my best in Australia.
But If I am injured there is nothing I can do about it. Every fast bowler even the great ones have been prone to injuries. So I am no different,” he said.
The last time he played in a Test match in India at Kolkata, Shoaib starred in that Test by dismissing Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid on successive deliveries and said he still considered those two wickets as the most prized of his career. “I want to do a repeat this time also,” he said.
The ‘Rawalpindi Express’ has again come under fire following Pakistan’s demoralising 3-0 whitewash at the hands of the World Champions.
Although he took 11 wickets in the first two Tests, but his pictures splashed on the internet and by some sections of the local media allegedly showing him partying out in nightclubs and bars in Australia, his refusal to reduce his run-up on the advice of coach Bob Woolmer and his latest injury problem have all again put him in the firing line.
Pakistan cricket Board (PCB) Shaharyar Khan is due to have a ‘hard talk’ with Shoaib soon about his performances, injury and general conduct in Australia.
“I would only ask the board not to hold me solely responsible for the team’s poor performances in Australia. Don’t make me a scapegoat. Cricket is a team game and everyone is responsible for the failures,” he said.
However the grapevine has it that both coach Bob Woolmer and captain Inzamam-ul-Haq are not happy with his commitment after the first two Tests and are believed to have conveyed to the board they don’t want him for the Indian tour.
The 29-year old who returned midway from the tour of Australia on Saturday told Mid Day he was aware that his regular fitness problems were not good for his reputation and image.
“Which is why I decided to come back home early and start working on my fitness. The Indian tour is a highpoint of my career and every one wants us to do well there. “I had a disappointing series against the Indians when they came to Pakistan last year. I want to be at my best this time and make amends,” Shoaib said.
Describing the Indian series of three Tests and five one-day internationals as “an exciting challenge,’ Shoaib said he was disappointed with his fitness problems but not his form in Australia. “I am upset because I know I gave my best in Australia.
But If I am injured there is nothing I can do about it. Every fast bowler even the great ones have been prone to injuries. So I am no different,” he said.
The last time he played in a Test match in India at Kolkata, Shoaib starred in that Test by dismissing Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid on successive deliveries and said he still considered those two wickets as the most prized of his career. “I want to do a repeat this time also,” he said.
The ‘Rawalpindi Express’ has again come under fire following Pakistan’s demoralising 3-0 whitewash at the hands of the World Champions.
Although he took 11 wickets in the first two Tests, but his pictures splashed on the internet and by some sections of the local media allegedly showing him partying out in nightclubs and bars in Australia, his refusal to reduce his run-up on the advice of coach Bob Woolmer and his latest injury problem have all again put him in the firing line.
Pakistan cricket Board (PCB) Shaharyar Khan is due to have a ‘hard talk’ with Shoaib soon about his performances, injury and general conduct in Australia.
“I would only ask the board not to hold me solely responsible for the team’s poor performances in Australia. Don’t make me a scapegoat. Cricket is a team game and everyone is responsible for the failures,” he said.
However the grapevine has it that both coach Bob Woolmer and captain Inzamam-ul-Haq are not happy with his commitment after the first two Tests and are believed to have conveyed to the board they don’t want him for the Indian tour.