Shoaib Akhtar speaks about his struggles in his career

Very few people would know the humble beginnings of Shoaib Akhtar and the struggles he went through to achieve his goals. It is certainly beyond most people’s expectations. However, speaking about his rise to fame, Akhtar recollected his entire path to glory with Wasim Akram on the show ‘The Sportsman’.

Just a week before Pakistan’s Test captain had come on the show however the former Pakistani speedster began his conversation speaking about the performances of Pakistan’s charismatic leader Imran Khan. Even at the age of 39 he had an incredible awareness to the game of cricket and needless to say, Imran led Pakistan to their 1st ever World Cup title down under in 1992.

Akhtar started off saying, “It started with 1992 World Cup after watching your two wickets of Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis, Imran Khan‘s stylish hair after which a dream began followed by struggle. There was a lot of struggle in my career. I was always street smart, good in school but was not aware of what do in life. There was a long struggle but I always kept my spirits high and never looked down on myself.

“I was very unusual, be it in college or anywhere, I used to stand out and come forward aggressively and there were lot of jealousy factor in the area where I used to live because when you are moving up so fast one has to face resistance and that is good, so that you do better.”

Although Akhtar revealed that he started off playing in the streets he went on to state the importance of playing in the stadium and on streets.

“We had plenty of grounds but except that there was no such infrastructure where we can play and grow. There were a lot of things but surely there was a long struggle such as waking up in the morning and running in the evening with no money in the pocket. There is a saying in Punjabi, At the time of hunger, you won’t have money and when you have money then you do not feel hungry.”

“Honestly, first I saw you, then Imran bhai (Imran Khan) and then Waqar Younis. Then I thought of copying all three of you so that I become something. Sometimes I used to try your action and copy Waqar’s gesture of moving fingers on the face.”

Akhtar went on to explain his relationship with his fellow pacers, especially Waqar Younis. He illustrated a story about how Waqar had taught him the act of hiding the seam.

“He doesn’t have one finger and I used to keep imitating Waqar and how he used to utilise his finger all the time. Once while talking I asked him, why you don’t open your hand fully? Waqar replied very gently that there is no little finger in my left-hand. So while copying, I realised, inspiration and heroes are very important. If there are no heroes there wouldn’t be any inspiration.

“So, in the process of copying, I became a different product and since I am not that handsome like Imran bhai so it is impossible to become like him and this is the way I started. However, one thing was clear, that I always wanted to be a fast bowler right from the very first day. I wanted bowl very fast and this was the only thing which I always wanted to do.”

“If there are no heroes there wouldn’t be any inspiration. So, in the process of copying, I became a different product and since I am not that handsome like Imran bhai, so it is impossible to become like him and this is the way I started. However, one thing was clear, that I always wanted to be a fast bowler right from the very first day. I wanted to bowl very fast and this was the only thing which I always wanted to do,” the Rawalpindi Express concluded.