Bad Delivery

‘EVER since he first cocked his arm on the international cricket stage, Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been a controversial figure.

Akhtar is on the front foot

It’s not allegations for throwing the ball that have landed the bowler in trouble this time but comments he made in interview with the Guardian newspaper.

In this world shrunken by the media, a man in Pakistan read the interview and took offence. He claims that criticisms made by Akhtar against other Pakistani players were defamatory to the reputation of the entire Pakistan nation.

It’s as good a time as any now to review the offending comments.

‘Wasim [Akram] and Waqar [Younis] are in decline,’ said Akhtar. ‘I have to make it all happen. There is so much pressure on me.’ Akhtar went on to say that his job might be made easier had he been born in Australia.

As a collection of comments these stand right up there with other statements of the bleeding obvious, like how England selectors favour players from Surrey and that Ian Botham should go and live in Australia.

For his part, Akhtar is far from contrite. ‘It’s some kind of cheeky fella trying to get famous – I’m not too bothered about it,’ he says.

But he is bothered, or he should be. Criticising players who have performed for longer than you and at a consistently high level is a brave move for any player, especially one whose bowling action is often called into question.

Indeed Younis, a revered figure in his homeland, is unimpressed, and has instructed his critic to ‘shut up and bowl’.

The Guardian has reminded its readers that earlier this year Younis was accused of inflicting ‘mental torture’ on a Pakistani litigant by appearing in a drink advert in India.

That issue was made more comical by the fact that the target of the campaign denies having ever been in such a commercial.

The one thing for certain is that cricket in this region of Asia is big news. Perhaps it’s the only place on earth where its stars get more press and cause a greater stir than David Beckham’s knickers.

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Posted: 10th, July 2003 | In: Back pages Comment | TrackBack | Permalink