Indian bowlers should become an inspiration: Shoaib Akhtar

Former Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akhtar one of the fast bowler’s cricket has ever seen spoke about the Indian pace bowling department, his low-profile wedding, his views on the Indian and Pakistani cricket teams and much more.

Akhtar who is currently judging a comedy reality show ‘Mazaak Mazaak Mein’ along with Harbhajan Singh, said that after the long 20 hectic years being the gun bowler for the Pakistan team, he wanted to do something different which will spread laughter and can make him feel lighter, and that is what he is achieving with this show.

When asked about the entertainment shows in India vis-a-vis Pakistan, he said, “India and Pakistan are two different nations and they are doing separate things, so one can’t compare the two.”

Want the subcontinent to rule the world:

He also said that he got a couple of offers from the Bollywood but he hasn’t accepted. He also wants the subcontinent to rule the world. “I was offered a couple of films which had good subjects, but I don’t want to talk about them as the talks didn’t materialise. Right now my strength is cricket and that’s what I do best. I would really want the subcontinent to rule the world,” he opinioned.

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Speaking about the Indian bowlers, he said that India had good bowlers over the years in the likes of Kapil Dev, Javagal Srinath, and Zaheer Khan and said that the current bowlers need to become an inspiration for the youngsters. “The current bowlers Mohammad Shami, Varun Aaron, Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma should become an inspiration for the youngsters.”

When asked about the controversy in the past regarding his views on Pakistani cricket team, he said, “It has been four years since I left playing cricket, but I still feel that I am playing the game. Even now when I watch a match, I jump from the sofa and comment on the bowling or batting attack. Whatever I may have said in the past was only because I was passionate about the game.”

Micky Arthur was recently appointed as the head coach of the Pakistan cricket team and the ongoing series against England is his first assignment as the coach. Asked if he would like to coach Pakistan some day, Shoaib said, “I am always available to serve Pakistan cricket in whatever capacity. But Mickey Arthur has joined recently and I totally support him. I think he is the right man to take Pakistan cricket forward.”

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Want to keep my marriage a low-key affair like MS Dhoni:

Earlier in June 2014, he tied the knot with Rubab Khan in a quiet Nikah ceremony in Haripur. When asked about the low-key marriage, he said that he wanted it to keep simple similar to MS Dhoni in that aspect.

“I feel that marriage is all about friendship. Ek doosre ka saath zaroori hai, then it turns into a meaningful relationship. I also don’t believe that a woman has to let go of her career when she gets married. A man and woman can easily balance their home and careers,” the 41-year old concluded.