THE RAWALPINDI EXPRESS. Review on Shoaib Akhtar

SHOAIB AKTHAR.. undoubtly the worlds most fast bowling sensation in modern cricket. A grt discovery by Zaheer Abbas as Akthar steamed to bowl at a local match in the streets of Rawalpindi. seeing his bowling action...speed and the lust for fast bowling Zaheer Abbas knew how talented this man can be...a demolition man who can and correctly has demolished the best batting line up with his sheer aggression and pace.

Akthar once in an interview said ''u can never imagine how fast I can bowl with the tennis ball''...in Pakistan people play cricket with tennis ball wrapped with insulation tape over it...this insulation makes the ball skid on to the batsman...

Pakistan board saw the man's ability decided to give him a chance but before he got a break he was reported for misconduct in a bar in Australia. or I think the incident took place when Pakistan was touring Australia and Akthar was not in to lime light but had already made it into the international arena...Akthar pleaded guilty n said give me a chance to prove my self?lo! And look what else is left to prove..

I used to play cricket matches with the seasoned ball.. but only once have I done wicket keeping?the regular keeper was away. I thought its easy to keep wickets went ahead ?believe me the worst position in cricket is to keep wickets.. the ball hits very very hard on to your gloves?and one who thinks that gloves are for providing cousion or they do provide cousion? then u r terribly mistaken.. in case u get a chance see the fingers of any international cricketers keeping wickets.

Rashid Latif and Moin Khan have the privilege to keep wickets to grt bowlers like Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and the list is endless?they say ?we have done keeping to grt fast bowlers but is very tough to keep wickets for one bowler? Shoaib Akthar?. Can u imagine the pace he delivers? even the best batsmen melt when he runs in to bowl.. wow it smell fresh and grt fast bowling seen in many years?reminds me some grt West Indies bowlers?

Born on 13 August 1975, Rawalpindi, Punjab. He has never seen back once he took off to international cricket arena.

There are many many matches he has helped Pakistan win.. and believe me this is a bowler any team in the world would like to have.

Once touring Australia tear away Shoaib Akhtar grabbed five wickets in 15 balls to cause a dramatic Australian collapse in the first cricket Test here Saturday. Australia, comfortably placed at 74-1 in their second knock, slipped to 89-7 before being shot out for 127 in 39.5 overs at tea on the third day.

Such collapses are in his stride many times? as about line n length.. of course u will have to compromise on that once u go in for speed but still I feel he has a ?ok? line n length.. as far as efficiency is concerned.. see in season cricket u don?t rely on power to stroke runs.. but timing and placements are the key.. power is a sure factor but a seasoned ball travels much fast n mush more once it clips the bat, unlike tennis ball where power is very very dominant.. hence in Shoaibs case the speed of the ball is so tremendous that even if it touches the bat the ball flies away.. its ball hitting the bat n less bat hitting the ball :)

As far as chucking is concerned let me tell u even WALSH, AMBROSE, MARSHALL used to chuck.. even Brett Lee does? I don?t understand why cant at least Indian bowlers chuck.. and get some pace out :)

Overall a grt cricketer?and I wish there is a another Shoaib Akthar waiting in India to get his due and bowl for our team.

Comments welcome?

fuzzy