ehsan

Let's hope so and it will also be good if he lets his bowling rather then his mouth do the talking.

Shaoib Akhtar says he's a better bowler after county stint


KARACHI (AFP) - Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said he has improved after a stint with English county Durham and the national side is set to reap the benefit.

"It's hell of an experience and I now feel I am a improved bowler and can serve the country in a better way," Shoaib told AFP Tuesday on the eve of the first Test against Bangladesh here.

The 27-year-old, known as the Rawalpindi Express, started his first English county stint with Durham in May.

He was initially allowed to skip the home series against Bangladesh to continue his county assignment. However, an injury to fellow pace bowler Mohammad Sami forced the Pakistan selectors to summon Shoaib for the series.

Shoaib will play the first two Tests against Bangladesh before returning to England.

"I am enjoying county cricket and now my length is a yard further, just like Australian Glenn McGrath and now I am more for length than speed," said Shoaib, who has twice achieved the unique feat of crossing the 100 mile an hour (160 kilometres an hour) mark with his deliveries.

"I have taken some 35 wickets in seven matches and want to return for another few matches to help the county gain promotion in the first division," said Shoaib, who has taken 88 Test and 145 one-day wickets.

"Durham people are very good, hospitable and I want to do something for them."

A rib injury deprived Shoaib of playing for Nottinghamshire in the 2001 season.

"I have always wanted to play county cricket and now think that it is an ideal stage for a bowler to attain maturity."

Shoaib's bowling action has been questioned three times by officials but the International Cricket Council (ICC) cleared him of chucking on the grounds of a deformity in his bowling arm.

Mr Xtreme

>> "I am enjoying county cricket and now my length is a yard further, just like Australian Glenn McGrath and now I am more for length than speed," said Shoaib

Well even most schoolboy cricketers know that, it shouldn't take county cricket to instil basic discipline of line and length.

As for hoping he'll let his bowling do the talking rather than his mouth there's more chance of seeing Elvis in your local kebab house

He can talk whatever crap he likes as far as I am concerned, if he can keep himself fit and stick to bowling with some sense that'll do for me.

UMAIR316

If Shoaib doesn't do anything spectacular in this series, then I will be very dissappointed in him.
From the pitch, the pitch seems to be very awkward and might assist the bowlers.

akpower

we'll hv to wait n see...

Diablo Kazama

Why does he keep bringing up references to Glenn McGrath and the aussies in his mini-speeches?

Let's hope he did learn something on his umpteenth cricketing stint abroad.

yaasir

I think its time he stops talking and actually does something with the ball...

LahoriMunda

right on... I think one sensible thing PCB can do it prohibit Shoaib from giving any statements before getting authorization from PCB. And QUIT BRAGGING. Its time to deliver what he has been bragging about for sometime now and even after that just SHUT UP. I mean the guy is an ego maniac. I have no doubt about his talent. He is very capable of destroying any batting line up and he has proven that, but then he gets all egotistical and try to blow everyone away with sheer pace. It doesnt work every time, he should be able to bowl sensibly rather then just shooting down deliveries at 100 mph.