Photo by AFP
Mahmood. What are Pakistan’s chances in England?
Akhtar. England is a tough side indeed, especially at home. But Pakistan is also one of the best teams in the circuit and if our pace quartet – Mohammad Sami, Rana Naved, Mohammad Asif and myself – is on fire, England will be in deep trouble. That said, individuals can never win a cricket match. It has to be a team effort and a lot depends on our batsmen too.
Mahmood. Is team spirit lacking in the Pakistan camp?
Akhtar. Not really. All the players respect Inzamamul Haq as he is doing a great job as skipper. He has united the team and that's what is required. An argument here and there is part of the game and not much should be made of it. Players, after all, are human. It is too much to ask that all the players be best friends in the dressing room or off the field. But once on the field, we should be playing as one, which I think is the case.
Mahmood. Why are you so obsessed with speed?
Akhtar. I am built for speed. I love bowling fast and I know I can sustain the act. Everyone has a role to perform in this world and God has chosen me to bowl fast. Lots of people feel I should cut down on my speed but why should I do that?
Mahmood. You seem to have a knack for courting controversy?
Akhtar. Controversy has always been synonymous with fast bowling. Freddie Spofforth in the 1880s, Dennis Lillee, Imran Khan and Wasim Akram have all had their share of rows. So what’s so different about me? What upsets me, though,is that the media has painted me as a villain, primarily for things I have not done. But the most importantthing is that my conscience is clear.
Mahmood. You have also been fined for indiscipline …
Akhtar. If you count unwinding after a hard day’s work as an act of indiscipline then perhaps I am guilty. Much is made of my on-field gestures but my reactions are purely instinctive. I never plan on doing particular thing at a particular time. Former Aussie skipper Steve Waugh correctly stated a few years ago that the cricketing laws can be suffocating for players because they are not allowed to vent their emotions.