ZCZC
BSP-14
CRICKET-IND-PAK-SHOAIB
Pakistan’s Akhtar says would coach any nation — even arch-rivals India
NEW DELHI, May 5, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar
said he is ready to coach fast bowlers from any country — even if an offer
from arch-rivals India came his way.
In an interview with a social networking platform, the 44-year-old paceman
said he wants to help produce aggressive and fast bowlers who can take on
opposition batsmen no matter which country they come from.
When the presenter for the Helo app said India, Akhtar replied: “I will
definitely… My job is to spread knowledge. What I have learned is knowledge
and I will spread it.”
The response surprised many in India because of the poor relations between
the neighbours who have fought three wars since their independence and angry
split in 1947.
The two countries have not played each other in a bilateral series since
2012.
Akhtar, who was known as the Rawalpindi Express in his playing days, said:
“I will produce more aggressive, fast and more talkative bowlers than the
current ones, who will tell-off the batsmen in a way that you will enjoy a
lot.”
Akhtar said he would also like to coach bowlers in the cash-rich Indian
Premier League.
The bowler played in the inaugural IPL season for Kolkata Knight Riders
but the Indian government banned Pakistani cricketers from the league in
2009.
The speedster retired from international cricket in 2011 after more than a
decade of controversies and glory, including the record of bowling world’s
fastest delivery at 100.23 miles per hour.
BSS/AFP/MRU/2040hrs