Shoaib Akhtar reveals all in his autobiography 'Controversially Yours'

KARACHI: Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has said that Pakistani pacer Wasim Akram affected his career and Shahrukh Khan manipulated him.

Revealing all in an interview on Aaj TV on Friday about his autobiography "Controversially Yours" the former fast bowler said that Wasim Akhtar was responsible for destroying his career.

Talking about the Indian actor Shahrukh Khan, Shoaib Akhtar said that although there was a problem regarding the amount offered and his inclusion in the team, adding that Shahrukh Khan also looked after him. However, he said that he was not comfortable with former IPL Chairman Lalit Modi.

About the cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar he said Rahul Dravid is a better player and that "they are not match-winners".

When asked the pacer said, “Bowling Sachin out was a great feeling,” adding “But everyone loves Sachin be it Australians or any person in the cricketing world.”

In his autobiography Akhtar reveals a childhood that was deprived of good clothes and basic things. "On Eid we would wear old clothes res-stitched," adding "My family brought me up with a sense of pride."

After reaching adolescence his dream was to break into cricket. Although flat-footed he broke the 100 MPH barrier, earning the nick name the "Rawalpindi Express".

Born on August 13, 1975, in Rawalpindi, right hand fast bowler, Akhtar holds the record for the fastest delivery with 161.3 km/h (100.2 mph).

In the interview the Rawalpindi Express also admitted to ball tampering and said that Sachin Tendulkar "walked away" during the Faisalabad Test but added "who is not scared of being bowled at. Be it Ricky Ponting or even myself."

Admitting to ball tampering the former pacer said, "It should be legalised."

Shoaib Akhtar retired from cricket after the 2011 World Cup. His cricketing career began in the 1990s.

Controversies have been a part of his professional life. He was sent home in 2005 during the Test series in Australia for his unprofessional attitude and in 2006, he was involved in a doping scandal after testing positive for stimulants.

In September 2007, he was banned for picking a fight with teammate Muhammad Asif. He was banned for five years the next year for criticising the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The ban was suspended by the Lahore High Court (LHC) in 2008.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2011