Akhtar forewarns: 'I'll be more lethal at Sharjah'

Agha Akbar

October 9, 2002

The tearaway fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has given the Australians a warning ahead of the second Test, which begins in Sharjah on Friday. Regardless of the extreme heat, he intends to bowl fast and maintain his wicket-taking ways. Although Pakistan are 1-0 down in the series, Shoaib is fresh from causing two batting collapses at Colombo, and believes the conditions in Sharjah will help him strike again.

"I'm at my best. I am running fast, and the rhythm and flow is there," Shoaib said after a gruelling net session. "I feel very strong in the legs. I'm always keen to do well against Australia. They are the best batting side in the world, and it gives me a lot of motivation to destroy this line-up."

The conditions in the desert emirate, where this is not usually the cricket season, are sweltering. The temperature is forecast to remain in the high thirties, but Akhtar relishes the trying conditions.

"There will be more swing for me here. Unlike Colombo, while it is hot, it is not humid here, which suits us. I've played enough cricket at Sharjah to know that I'm more effective here. Since it is drier, I'd be quick off the wicket, and the dry surface would scuff the ball early for us to get reverse swing."

And reverse swing at his pace, he added, is absolutely lethal. "Other people have tried to reverse swing the ball, but it is the pace in our armoury that makes it unplayable."

Shoaib learned the art from Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, and intends to learn more about the nuances of fast bowling while playing county cricket next season.

"I want to learn more through county cricket but without wrecking myself. Now that two overseas signings are allowed to each county, it is possible to have a lesser workload," he said. Refusing to mention the county he would join, he added that negotiations were in progress with two counties.

It was evident from his demeanour and his words that he intended to inflict more misery on the Australian batsmen. "I've always bowled well in one-day cricket. But my Test average is not good enough, simply because I've not played Tests regularly."

Shoaib believes he can get to 350 to 400 Test wickets. "But my job is to win matches for Pakistan. That is what I want to do.

"The Aussies are beatable. We beat them in June, and that showed the way for Sri Lanka to beat them in the Champions Trophy. We came very close to beating them in the first Test at Colombo. There they were looking at 600 (in the first innings) and I had to manoeuvre to turn things around.

"I was successful in the post-lunch session. I did it again on the fourth day with five wickets in 15 balls. Faisal Iqbal, Taufeeq Umar and Younis Khan batted well, but we could not finish it off, mainly because of our inexperienced batting. But the Aussies now know that despite the inexperienced batting, beating us would not be easy.

"Anyway, it is my job to lead the way, to be the inspiration, to lift the team. And I'm doing just that."

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Players/Umpires

Shoaib Akhtar

Series/Tournaments

Australia tour of Sri Lanka and United Arab Emirates

Teams

Australia

Pakistan

Grounds

Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium