Our system is ridiculous and players play blame game

• What do you think of Woolmer’s appointment?

It is good for the team as well as the country. But I wouldn’t ask too much of him right now because he is building a new team. Still, he is setting new standards for us and the team is performing and responding to him. He’s come with new ideas and he has worked a lot for us. We also had a good first tour under him.

• You said that he is the first coach who understands you. How?

He communicates with me and understands me. He listens to me and knows my needs so I respond to him. Every fast bowler has a unique ability and if you can figure that out, you will be a successful coach. He pushes me and motivates me and he’s got me working harder and I will definitely play better. I am often misunderstood, especially when it comes to my personality.

• You bowled really well in South Africa in 1998 but your big break came against India at Kolkata. What was it like winning that game?

Winning any game is a great feeling. Winning a match for your side gives you the feeling that you have given something back to your country.

• Do you plan a spell like that or does it just happen?

I try and bowl as well as I can. Sometimes you just get a feeling on the ground that you are going to bowl well and I just try to do that.

• There have been a lot of stories about you wanting to become captain. Do you have such ambitions?

When something is destined to come your way it will. There is no point rushing into things. I believe that whoever the captain is at the time, the players should give their best for him. The ultimate high for me is playing for my country so I’m not thinking about captaincy. But if it comes my way, I will definitely consider it. After all, it is a great honour to be captain and I would live to have that honour.

• What do you think of Pakistan’s present pace bowling attack?

It’s great but it can be better. We still need to construct a squad of around 20 and we have to start planning now for the next World Cup. We need to get 20 guys together for that event.

• How do you feel about the reaction towards you after the Indian series?

I was misunderstood. The way the board handled the situation was improper. The press just wrote what they heard from the board. The papers never knew what the facts behind my injury were. I had a broken rib but no one cared about that. If you pull a hamstring, get cramps or get dehydrated, you can still bat. In batting you don’t use your whole body.

I went for a medical tests and I was told that I had a broken rib. That was why I didn’t bowl anymore in that game. I know we lost the Test match and I feel bad about that but if I had continue to bowl I could have lost a year due to injury.

There was blaming culture (in that side). A few people were trying to turn me into a scapegoat in order to save their jobs. They thought the only player they could blame for everything was me and by doing that they could save themselves. But look what happened to them while I’m still here playing for my country. They are gone. But I don’t want to get into any battles which is why I didn’t make any statements.

• You have a very unsportsmanlike image off the field. What is Shoaib Akhtar all about?

People just like to create stories. I like riding bikes, I could do that at any time of night. I have a great love for motorbikes. Rather than going to parties, I would like to go bungee jumping, parachuting or skydiving. Anything that is related to speed appeals to me.

• Would you say you are the best fast bowler in world cricket?

I don’t think so. When I go out there I think I’m the best but when I’m not playing I admire so many other bowlers. McGrath, Gillespie, Shane Warne…

• Would you say that fast bowling is undergoing a revival of sorts?

Yeah, it is. But the charm is lost. You can’t look at the batsman, you can’t bowl bouncers. I think we are putting an end to the charm of the game with so many restrictions.

• What does the future hold for Shoaib Akhtar and Pakistan?

I don’t know about my future but Pakistan’s future certainly looks bright. I would like to contribute to make the future better but I can’t say much about myself. I try to live in the present and am doing my bit today. But the Pakistan team’s future is bright: all we have to do is get a system together that works well because our present system is absolutely ridiculous.

(The Herald)