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Journalism of Courage
Pakistani pace spearhead Shoaib Akhtar today said he hoped to reach his wicket-taking peak during next year’s World Cup after demolishing New Zealand here last night.
“I am delighted I have answered my critics by taking wickets yet again and I love to prove my detractors wrong,” said Akhtar.
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Shoaib Akhtar shatters the stumps of Andre Adams at Karachi on Sunday. (Inset) Umpire Steve Bucknor asks for the broken stumps to be replaced after the strike. (Reuters)
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“I am back in form and hope my wicket-taking form reaches acme in the World Cup so that I can play my part in Pakistan’s triumph.” Known as the Rawalpindi Express for his charging run-up and blistering pace, the 26-year-old wrecked New Zealand in yesterday’s day-night limited overs match with career best figures of 6-16.
His previous best of 5-19 was also against New Zealand in Auckland last year.
He looked like he was bowling grenades yesterday as the New Zealanders fended off balls they could hardly see or struggled to get out of the way completely.
Yesterday’s fearsome display put batsmen around the world on notice that Akhtar, whose career has been plagued by suspicions about his action, was back and reaching the peak of his powers.
As well as taking career-best figures, he became the 12th Pakistani bowler to reach 100 one-day wickets, having played 60 matches. “Reaching a milestone is great and motivates you to take more and more wickets,” said Akhtar.
“Every time they criticise me the fire burns more in me to prove them wrong. I don’t know how many times they wrote me off and they would still do so,” said Akhtar.
Akhtar is tipped to break the 160 kilometres per hour (100 mph) barrier and become the fastest bowler on the planet, although his Australian rival and friend, Brett Lee, is in hot pursuit.
He sent down a 159.5 kph thunderbolt in last week’s Sharjah Cup, second only to Australian Jeff Thomson’s 161 kph ball in 1975, the fastest ever recorded.
“Well, it’s one of those things and basically we entertain the crowd who come to watch cricket which is full of action and with it help the team win matches.”
Akhtar said he had his sights set on World Cup champions Australia.
“I am waiting for the Australians to come and then I want to achieve the best against them because they are the team to beat,” he said.
“Pakistan is the only team that can beat Australia and I am sure we will not only beat them in Pakistan but also dethrone them as World Champions.”
Akhtar has spent a lot of time working on his bowling in Australia and enjoys playing club cricket there, but there is no love lost when he is playing for Pakistan.
Australia tour Pakistan for a tri-series in August this year and then play two or three Tests in October.
Akhtar’s action was first reported in December 1999 and he was cleared two months later, but he was again called for throwing in New Zealand last year.
“I have forgotten the bowling action controversy and hope it doesn’t bother me again,” Akhtar said.
Thomson, who is covering New Zealand’s tour here as a commentator, said it was “a bit funny and ridiculous” that the ICC had twice been forced to examine Akhtar’s action and cleared him on both occasions.
“I think he is just no different to Brett Lee. Lee also has a similar sort of action and their actions are just fine,” said Thomson, who also had a distinctive slinging style to his delivery.
