THE CONTROVERSIAL " CONTROVERSIALLY YOUR'S

Shoaib Akhtar retired earlier this year after Pakistan lost a game, which he wasn't even a part of: The game against India . Since then he has been hiding in the shadows, his existence unknown. His sudden disappearance from the cricket circuit did not bother many people.

He now seemed a distant figure of the past. His fans would watch his old videos, with Shoaib steaming in to deliver an in-swinging yorker, or a disguised slower ball, and surprising everyone with his bag of tricks ; However, they all were oblivious to the fact, that Shoaib had one last surprise to offer.

Shoaib has now returned to the scene with a bang! He has now finally revealed the product of his 2-year effort: an autobiography which aims to revolutionize the cricketing world. Shoaib has made some very tall claims in his book, along with some very 'controversial' comments against some big personalities. For example, he has claimed that Sachin Tendulkar, the most successful batsman in the world, was intimidated by his bowling on the slow tracks of Faislabad.

The credibility of this comment can certainly be questioned. Other than that he has made some personal attacks on Wasim Akram and some other leading cricketers, with 'Rahul Dravid is not a match winner' being one of those few unnecessary comments. Furthermore he has also admitted that he used to tamper with the ball, and has 'advised' the ICC, in his book, to make it legal. But if you look at it from a different perspective, the content of the book seems so fitting. It falls in line with the title 'Controversially Yours'.

A player whose career was cut shot due to indiscipline, drugs , ball tampering and other controversies, would be expected to write such a book. His book reflects the personality of that Shoaib who used to be a rookie. The Shoaib who broke the rules in Australia . The Shoaib who attacked a team-mate with a bat.

The Shoaib who was reckless and naive. On the contrary, his recent conduct in the world cup was exemplary as he acted as a true a senior. His recent objective of opening a charity hospital has been noble. Then why? Why did he rotate a whole 180 degrees to show us his other side, in the book. Why has he, yet again, given us a proof of his inconsistency. Why is his behaviour suddenly so volatile? Why does he want to present himself as the personality that we all abhor?

Shoaib probably missed the trick here. He should have realised that he was loved by the Pakistani cricket fans, for his unwavering determination which was eminent in his speedy deliveries. People respected him for his contributions to the Pakistani cricket, rather than his involvement in different scandals. The title of the book and Shoaib's mischievous comments mean only two things:

a) Shoaib still has a few years to mature.

b) The book is going to be a best seller!

The Controversial 'Controversially Yours'

Shoaib Akhtar retired earlier this year after Pakistan lost a game, which he wasn't even a part of: The game against India . Since then he has been hiding in the shadows, his existence unknown. His sudden disappearance from the cricket circuit did not bother many people.

'I have Sachin's picture on my wall'

Just a day after claiming that he saw Sachin Tendulkar's legs trembling while facing Shoaib Akhtar, Pakistan's former captain Shahid Afridi has now stated that he did not intend to question the Indian batting icon's greatness and was only talking about one incident. "I am not denying what 

I have said. I have seen that Tendulkar was not at all comfortable against Shoaib in Kolkata Test in 1999. It was Shoaib's first tour of India and he bowled out Sachin without giving him a chance to open his account. He also claimed (Rahul) Dravid's wicket in both the innings," Afridi told 'PTI-Bhasha' from Karachi.

"Shoaib was in full form on that tour and had tremendous speed. He terrorised almost all the batsmen in the world at that time. I have seen Sachin trembling as I was fielding at square leg. I am still saying that.

"But this was only one incident. He never spared Shoaib after that. We all have seen what happened in 2003 World Cup," he added.

Afridi went on to state that the Indian batsman does not need his certificate.

"Sachin is one of the best batsmen and the whole world knows this. He does not need mine or anybody else's certificate. His records speak for him," Afridi said.

The controversy-prone former captain yesterday backed his Akhtar's claim that Tendulkar was uncomfortable against his pace, saying that he had once witnessed the Indian batsman "trembling" while facing the pacer.

Afridi, who retired after revolting against his own board and has a history of making controversial remarks, said Tendulkar was uneasy against Akhtar, a claim which the pacer made in his recently-launched autobiography Controversially Yours.

Afridi said his remarks should not be construed as demeaning to Tendulkar.

"I am not raising any question on Sachin's greatness. Everyone knows that how many sixes Sachin has smashed on Shoaib's bowling after that. But sometimes it happens. I got out on a duck against a weak opponent like Zimbabwe in Peshawar when I was at the peak of my career," he said.

"Any batsman can go through this on a good wicket and opposite a good bowler. That was Shoaib's day and Sachin was nervous that day. Media should not read much into it as it can happen to Don Bradman as well," added the all-rounder.

Afridi said he is a huge fan of Tendulkar both on and off the field.

"I am a huge fan of Sachin. He is not only a great cricketer but a humble human being as well. I have only one photograph on the wall of my drawing room and that is of Sachin. It has Sachin's autograph on it, do I need to say more," said Afridi.

When asked if he will talk to Tendulkar to clarify his position on this issue, he said that there is no need for it.

"The whole matter is blown out of proportion by Indian media. Sachin is a great cricketer and he will understand what I am saying. I have not said anything wrong," he said.

"Media should play a positive role to reduce tension between the two neighbours. When we went to play the World Cup in India earlier this year, We saw all the negative reporting against Pakistani team. Indians love and respect us but not their media," he said.

On the possibility of his comeback in international Cricket, he said that he wants to play for another two-three years.

"Inshah Allah, I will be back in national team. I think I can play for 2-3 years. I am not going to beg for it but I know that I will represent Pakistan again," said Afridi.

بھارتیوں کوسچ برداشت نہیں،آفریدی

کراچی : پاکستان کرکٹ ٹیم کے سابق کپتان شاہد خان آفریدی نے سابق بھارتی کپتان ساروگنگولی کے بیان پر ردعمل کا اظہار کرتے ہوئے کہا ہے کہ بھارتی کھلاڑی سچ برداشت نہیں کرتے۔

’سارو گنگولی نے ہفتہ کو میڈیا کے نمائندوں سے گفتگو کرتے ہوئے کہا تھا کہ شاہد خان آفریدی کاماتھا خراب ہے‘

پاکستانی ٹی وی چینل جیو نیوز سے بات کرتے ہو ئے شاہد آفریدی کا کہنا تھا کہ مجھے یاد ہے کہ چندی گڑھ میں گنگولی کے سینے پربال لگی تھی اور وہ میدان سے باہرچلاگیاتھا،اس میں کوئی شک نہیں کہ سچین ٹنڈولکر دنیا کے مانے ہوئے بیٹسمین ہیں لیکن شعیب اختر کی تیز گیندوں سے ٹنڈولکر گھبراہٹ کا شکار تھے نہ صرف وہ بلکہ راولپندی ایکسپریس نے اپنے کچھ اسپیل سے تو آسٹریلین بلے بازوں کوبھی ہلاکر رکھ دیا تھا۔

شاہدآفریدی نے مزید کہا کہ ممکن ہے کہ میں بھی کرکٹ سے ریٹائرمنٹ کے بعد کوئی کتاب تحریری کروں۔

ایک سوال کے جواب میں ان کا جواب تھاکہ آف دی فیلڈبھارتی کھلاڑیوں سے تعلقات ہمیشہ اچھے رہے ہیں،جارحانہ کرکٹ عادت ہے لیکن گراوٴنڈکی حدتک ایساہے۔