No natural fast bowlers after me in Pak: Shoaib

“Apart from Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younus there have been many fast bowlers previously. But how many diamonds can you retrieve from one single mine, there has to be an end somewhere. I feel that I don’t see any natural fast bowler after me,” Akhtar said in a BBC chat show.

Akhtar, who left his job with Pakistan International Airlines to pursue his cricketing dreams, said his quest of creating a distinct identity for himself was instrumental in his becoming the fastest bowler in the world.

“I have always believed that I should do something that will give me a distinct identity. I used to feel that I could become a faster bowler than Wasim Akram and Waqar Younus. Maybe not a better bowler, but faster, yes. I had made up my mind that I would bowl the fastest ball in the 1999 World Cup,” he said.

Akhtar maintains that a player needs to be managed well to extract maximum out of him. “Look, it’s very difficult for any player to consistently perform well. I feel that a good management can help win more matches by making better use of any player whenever there is a need. You don’t use your Ferrari to drive to work everyday, it is a weekend car. To tell you the truth it’s equally important for the management to be efficient,” he said.

On being asked why countries like India and Pakistan are quick to honour a hero but equally hasty about pulling him down when he performs badly, the paceman said clash of personalities could be the reason.

“I don’t know why it is like that. But I think it is about a clash of personalities. When someone becomes slightly strong he feels threatened by your fame. Instead of loving you as a hero of the country they try to get rid of you and become famous themselves. By associating with us they try to manipulate us for their use,” he opined.

In his about a decade long career, Akhtar had many on-field bouts with great batsmen, including India’s Sachin Tendulkar, but he rues missing out on one such battle with his favourite batsman — Brian Lara.

“What a magnificent cricketer Lara is! He is a top class player. In my cricket career I have bowled only 4 balls to Lara. In the last 10 years there have been 3 series between us but I have not been able to bowl against him,” he lamented.

During his recent India tours the speculations were rife that Akhtar could act in a Bollywood movie, but he denies any such development but did not rule it out for future.

“In recent times I have never said that I want to act in films. I cannot forbid anyone from offering me a role in a film. Yes, if I am in the mood I might act in films after retirement. There is nobody to stop me. But right now my focus is on cricket,” he said.