Q & A from Shoaib Akhtar's Official Website..

Who is your favourite cricketer outside of the Pakistan team? (from Nandhini)
I would have to say the former Pakistan great Imran Khan. I also get on very well with India's Yuvraj and Harbhajan.
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To all of you who have sent me good luck messages and poems:
I appreciate all your support. It means a lot. Sorry I cannot get round to answering everyone but I am playing a big Test series at the moment and I'm focusing on that. I'm sure you will all understand. Regards, Shoaib.
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Shoaib bhai, the team knows you have carried an injury in this India series, but are you feeling under pressure to keep carrying the attack on you own? (from Akbar Khan)
It is my job to lead the Pakistan bowling attack and although my ankle has troubled me at times, I try to get on with things. I wouldn't say I have the led the attack on my own. Danish was excellent against England. The pitches in the India series have made things hard for the bowlers.
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Shoaib, you are the best bowler in Pakistan. How will you become the best bowler in the world? (from Fareeha)
It's nice that you think I am the best bowler in Pakistan. In terms of being the best in the world, all I can do is keep working hard for country and hopefully the rewards will come. Winning matches is what matters most, though.
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Are you engaged? Everyone wants to know. (from Nikki)
No.
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Do you live in your home town (Rawalpindi) or Lahore? (from Haroon Iqbal)
I live in Islamabad, but I also have a place in Lahore.
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I saw you play for Durham once and thought you had potential as a batsman. How about becoming an all-rounder? (from Asfand of the U.K.)
I've never taken my batting seriously enough until recently. I always knew I could bat but I am now working harder on that part of my game. All-rounder? Who knows. I have gone from No. 10 to No. 8 in a couple of months so things are going well.
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Does the team pray five times a day? (from Bilal of South Africa)
Yes. The team feels that it helps with the disciplne at getting up at five and things like that. It also helps team spirit.
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Who is your best friend in the Pakistan team? (from Sonia)
I'm friendly with all of them. That is why we are playing so well now, as we are all there for each other.
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Are you married and who is your favourite hero? (from Filistin Khan Sraffa)
No I am not married and my cricket hero has always been Imran Khan. He is an inspiration to me.
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I don't have a question but I'm a big, big fan of yours, I collect all your cuttings (I have 1,509) and record all your TV interviews (from Farah)
Thanks for your support, I appreciate it. The same goes for all my fans who are so loyal to me. I hope I can entertain you all a lot more in the future.
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Can Pakistan win the World Cup in 2007? (from Tariq
Sure, why not? I think our form over the last few months will have shown a lot of people that we can compete against any team in the world. We will be confident of doing well in the West Indies.
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What do you do when not playing cricket? (from Zara Niaz)
I might ride my motor-bikes when away from a cricket series or spend time with my friends and family. In between matches in a series I rest a lot as fast bowling takes a lot out of you.
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What is your favourite food? (from Nargis)
Healthy food, and seafood. (You can see this and other similar stuff on my 'On the Spot' section)
----How is your injury healing, how do you see your chances of success and do you get anoyed by media criticism? (from Haseeb Sadiq)
My recovery is coming along well thanks. I'm almost certain that I will be in England with my team-mates from June. Regarding media criticism, I'm used to it. I don't let it affect me too much, but occasionally it can work in my favour as it did before the England series when I responded with some of my best bowling performances.
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Do you have a girlfriend? (from Hina)
No, not at the moment. I enjoy my independence though I'm sure I will meet that special person one day.
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Will you break 100mph again? (from Aqeeb)
I really don't know, it depends on my rhythm on the day. I bowled fast against England in the recent series and felt good, but to be honest I don't look at the speedometer like I used to. Taking wickets and helping Pakistan win matches is more important to me.
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Are you planning on playing for Notts this year? (from Haroon Iqbal)
No. My only target at the moment is to get fit and make sure I am on the England tour. I'm not sure if I will play county cricket again. I need to look after my body so I can play for Pakistan more.
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Mr Akhtar, what do you have to say about the beamers you bowled to Powar and Dhoni? (from Ranjay Kumar)
I have never intentionally bowled a beamer in my life. It is not in my nature to try to hurt a batsman in that way. I bowl a lot of yorkers and slower balls and sometimes if you get one of those wrong this is what can happen.
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Will you be attached to cricket after you retire? (from Rehan Dar)
I really don't know yet. I can't decide. I do think about it but I prefer to focus more on my cricket right now.
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How do you manage to keep your bowling speeds so high? (from Hamza Salahuddin)
Much is down to fitness. I work hard in the gym to reach a very high fitness level and that enables me to keep my pace up. Rhythm in matches is also a factor. Some matches you feel better than others.
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Shoaib, will you be able to play in the UAE against India? Will your knee be healed by then? (from Ranjini in India & Hassan Yar Khan)
No, although I'm feeling really good about my recovery and everything's cool, those games would be much too soon for me. I'm only looking at the England tour at this stage.
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Why did you turn down the Bollywood film 'Gangster'? (from Hasan Mubarak in UK)
I'm not interested in acting, at least not at this stage of my life anyway. I just want to concentrate on my fitness and making the most of my cricket career.
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Mr Akhtar, who do you share a room with when you tour with Pakistan and who do you get on with best in the Pakistan team? (from Navid Ahmed)
We are well looked after when we tour and we all have our own rooms. I get on with all the players well and I wouldn't like to single anyone out as they are all my team-mates and I don't have 'a best mate'.
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How serious are you about the England tour? Don't let us down, I have lots of faith in you, good luck (from Josh Thomos, U.S.)
It's probably an obvious answer but I am very serious. This tour has been a great motivation to me to get fit after my knee surgery. I aim to perform at my best over there.
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Who is the most difficult batsman you have bowled to? (from Samier in India)
There are so many that it is hard to single out one, particularly amongst the Australians, but I always rated Justin Langer very highly. Maybe him.
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Shoaib, you are a great bowler, a great cricketer. But when will we see you in movies because I swear you will rock Bollywood? (from Farah Khan, UK)
I've been asked this before and I don't know if I will go in that direction. I will see after my career or at least in another couple of years but at the moment it's just cricket I am intersted in.
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You've always been a playboy and have that personality as well. Is it true? (from Mac in Canada)
No, I'm a guy who cares deeply about his cricket and because I like to enjoy myself socially at times too, the media portrays you as a playboy. I might have that reputation but few people work harder at their game than me. You can't bowl as fast as I do without a lot of hard work.
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Shoaib, do you sing and do you have a favourite song? (from Mili in India)
I have too many favourite songs to mention and I'm not really a singer but I'm not bad singing at parties or just for fun.
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Shoaib, where ARE you? (from Ranjini, Banglaore, India)
I am mostly spending time in Lahore on my recovery work. It takes a lot of training to recover from knee surgery to get fit enough for an England tour so that's taken up most of my days.
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When will we see you at Trent Bridge again? (from Shaheen)
I'm not sure if you mean going back there to play county crcket but that is unlikely as I want to preserve my energies for Pakistan matches now. But we do have a one-day international at Trent Bridge in September so maybe you will see me there then.
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Hey Shoaib, with you coming back from that injury, will you be the same dominant bowler you used to be? (from Hamza)
Only time will tell but I certainly hope so. The fitness and rehab work has gone well, I'm bowling quick in the nets again so let's hope so.
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Shoaib, you are a good cricketer but have you thought about retiring yet? (from Shoaib)
No I am still only 30 and feel that I have a lot still to achieve in the game. The surgery that I had in Australia this year made me feel that I can carry on for a few more years yet.
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Who is your role model? (from Asif Bhaiyat)
I always looked up to Imran Khan when I was younger and admired him a lot and I still consider his advice very important now also. He spoke to me before I went to Worcester and told me what to expect as he had played there and we have had similar conversaions, where he shares his experience with me.
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How old were you when you started playing cricket? (from Majid Ali)
I was about 16 and a half when I started playing cricket. Very late, I know, but I didn't like this game before then and didn't want to play it. I never had a love for this game. But since 2000 I've had a passion for cricket and appreciate even more since I turned 30 how much I love playing for my country. I now know how lucky I am. It's the greatest honour.
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What is your favourite drink? (from Emma)
Any fruit juices, especially pineapple and apple.
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What is your most memorable wicket and match? (from Qamar Zia)
I would say Calcutta in 1999 as I took eight wickets to help win the match. My favourite wickets were also in that game, the two in the first innings when I bowled Sachin and Rahul Dravid. It was a turnaround in my life. My other favourite match is the 1999 World Cup semifinal when I took three wickets.
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Shoaib, apart from cricket, what else do you do to keep busy these days? (from Mili, India)
As you have probably read I train a lot, I like driving, riding my motorbikes, I like watching DVDs and I like to just chill out and socialise with friends.
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Shoaib, is there any chance you will play club cricket in the The Netherlands? (from Sana)
It's unlikely, though maybe I'll play there one day for Pakistan if we have another tournament there.
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Do you regret not accepting a role in the movie 'Gangster'? (from Farooq, Toronto, Canada)
I'm pretty pleased with what I am, a cricketer. I'm not an actor. I'm happy what I'm doing so I can't focus on another career.
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When are you going to get married (from hundreds of fans.....including Reema, Ranjini, Shahana and many more!)
I made a joke about it in an interview so people will leave me alone and ask me another question. There's no plan on getting married yet. I'm still busy playing cricket nowadays. I've got goals to achieve. The next year is very important for me, especially the World Cup when I need to be really focused. I don't want any distractions. I just want to play cricket for a while.
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Are you going to come to the U.S.A. anytime soon? If so, which state would you like to go to? (from Amjed)
I'm hoping to go to California after the England tour. I would like to spend two weeks there.
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How often do you surf the internet? (from Kashif)
Every now and again. A few times a month.
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What are your hobbies? (from Basit)
Motorcycles, fast cars, bungee jumping, scuba diving. People say I love going out but I'm more interested in doing edgy things like these. If I have the chance to do something stupid or treacherous, like jumping off a building roof, I will do it. Maybe I will be a stuntman another time!
--Shoaib, which football team do you support? (from Raheen, Norway)
I don’t support any particular team though I do enjoy a good game.
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I heard that you have become very religious. How has that helped you? (from Mili, India)
I am religious and I pray but I am also very liberal and modern. I'm not extremist or religiously close to my religion. Yes I say prayers but I make sure I don't affect people around me or force my views on them. Religion is all about looking after your neighbourhood and looking after other people's rights.
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What is the hardest ball to bowl in cricket? (from Rehan)
It depends on your rhythm. If your rhythm is not there every ball is difficult. I suppose if I had to say one delivery, the swinging yorker is pretty difficult to perfect. It's one thing bowling them in the nets but another doing it out in the middle in front of the crowds and TV cameras.
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How has your experience been like representing Rawalpindi? (from Haider Mahmud)
Fantastic. It's a great city, I'm honoured to be from there and it's one of the loveliest experiences, playing at the Rawalpindi ground.
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What is your profession apart from being a cricketer? (from Reema, India)
My profession? I have a passion not a profession. I graduated in Arts but I started playing cricket quite young so I never had chance to be anything else. Either I had to play cricket or study, so I made the choice.
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Do you visit USA frequently? (from Rani)
Not as frequently as I’d like because of commitments. I go as often as I can though.
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What sort of diet do you normally take? I am highly impressed with your body. Do you eat Indian, Pakistani food or grilled, healthy food? (from Umar)
I love Pakistani and Indian food but I also try to have as much healthy food as possible, especially when I’m not playing because that’s when you put weight on. I still like a burger or a pizza like everyone else though!
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Shoaib, Unofficially Mohammad Zahid had clocked 100mph during his debut in 1996. Do you wish that he never got injured and would have been your new ball partner? Imagine two opening bowlers bowling at 90mph? (from Faraz)
He’s a good bowler, but you can’t predict injuries.

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Do you think you are the greatest speedster in the world? (from Dhara)
Maybe on my day when the rhythm is good, maybe another day it would be Brett Lee or someone else.
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Shoaib, there was a question before where you said you started playing cricket when you were 16. Thats very hard to imagine. How did you manage from there to becoming such a great cricketer? (from Tim)
You’re right it is unusual but some people are just natural at some things in life. This was obviously meant for me.


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I am a big fan of you and crazy about you whenever Pakistan plays. I am a little bit angry that you are not in the team. (from Qaiser Ullah Shareef, Hyderabad, India)
Hopefully I will be back in the team for one-dayers, fingers crossed.
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What do you think is your most important ball in your armoury? Every bowler has one. (from Mohammed Ansir Ahmed)
Not one in particular, any one that takes wickets or gets me wickets at the time. One day it might be my bouncer, or it might be my yorker another day.


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What does it mean by having the wrist behind the ball at point of delivery? (from Ozair)
Having the wrist behind the ball is the whole of bowling, the wrist does everything.
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What was the purpose of bowling a beamer to Dhoni in the Test series in 2006? Besides, you did not even apologize to him later. (from Sajid, Pakistan)
It was a mistake, and I did apologize to him.
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Which place do you live in Lahore? (from Sara Sydney)
Defence Area
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Why do you like kids so much? (from Mili, Delhi, India)
I just love kids, I'm a human being, I love nature and I believe everybody has got a kid inside of them.
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Do you always meet all your loyal fans? How can I meet you if you visit Delhi this time? I'm your big fan and I want to meet you, take autograph , shake hand just this once, but you never come to Delhi and even if you do come there will b lots of security. (from Mili, Delhi, India)
Whenever we come to Delhi, give me a call or a note at the hotel and I will do my best to meet with you and give you my autograph or whatever. Thanks for your support.

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What would your words of wisdom be to an upcoming fast bowler? What does he need to work on? Stamina, upper body strength, good legs? (from Afaaq Khan)
Get into the gym, work hard, listen to people who have played cricket and who know about physique and protecting your body, but hard work is the bottom line.


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Undoubtedly you are the fastest bowler in the world but do you think that you will be able to break your own record of the fastest delivery? (from Fahad)
Yes, one day I might break it again, let’s see, it depends on the circumstances, like rhythm, fitness, many things.
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Shoaib, does your religion come in the way of your profession? You talk about perfecting the art of lethal yorkers, did you ever think of perfecting your faith in Allah (generally misunderstood as "extremism") that can help u overcome the pressure of frivolous big crowds or TV cameras? (from Athar Sayyad)
Stupid question, how can religion get in the way of my performance, I take it very seriously.
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When you going to come to South Africa? (from Asif Bhaiyat, Pakistan)
The end of this year, I think it is, whenever we tour there next, I might be wrong. I love the country so look forward to coming back.
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When will you come back to your education centre at Asghar Mall College? I'm also studying there but I'm volleyball team captain. (from Ammad ud din Khattak, Pakistan)
If I ever get a chance I will come back to meet the people but my playing commitments make it difficult for me.

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Of all the Test-playing nations which country you love bowling against? (from Schaa)
Australia because they are the most challenging and competitive. I always try to raise my game a level for them.
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Shoaib, you are always involved in some adventurous activity like flying a plane, scuba diving or your bikes. You always say this is how you relax and chill out. Don't you ever enjoy sitting at home listening to some soft music or sipping coffee? All those sports can be risky at times. (from Mili, Delhi, India)
Sure I enjoy being at home, watching the Discovery Channel, Lonely Planet Channel or learning about my country.
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What is your favourite cuisine? Do you like home cooked food or you always prefer eating out? (from Mili, Delhi, India)
I love home food but if I have to go out I always try to eat seafood.
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When do you have a plan to visit Montreal? (from Omia, Montreal, Canada)
End of this year hopefully, depending on playing commitments. I have a couple of good friernds there.
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What is your favourite place to hang out at when you're in the States? (from Usman, U.S.A.)
California I enjoy but I also love Florida, especially Miami.
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What is your favourite format of the game? Test, one-day or Twenty20? (from Usman, U.S.A.)
Test cricket, people remember Test matches.
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Is it a rumour or is it really true that you're planning to get married? (from Safa)
I’ve said it before, it’s just a rumour.

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I was just wondering when did you start playing cricket, and do you think that's a good age to start? Does tennis ball cricket help increase your pace? (from Jibran)
I started at 16 but people should probably start earlier than I did. I was a late developer. I think tennis ball cricket on the streets has helped all Pakistani fast bowlers.
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Apart from cricket is there any other sport that interests you? (from Ayesha, Sydney, Australia)
Anything adventurous as I have said before.

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Whom do you enjoy bowling against the most, the one you feel provides the biggest challenge and you like fighting with on the field? (from Hassan)
No names, I just enjoy bowling and being comeptitve, whoever gves me a tough time I enjoy the challenge.

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Are you friends with Brett Lee? (from Umar)
Yes, he's a good mate. We don't speak all the time but we are friends.

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Shoaib are you from a village in Rawalpindi called Morgha? (from Qasim)
Yes that’s right I am.
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Hi Shoaib, tell me about your favourite dishes? (from Manisha)
Seafood
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http://akhtar.bigstarcricket.com/bs/players/akhtar/

nice! read all of it.

Lovely read.... thanks mate

nice read... fans from all over the world i see...

good read man