Date:22/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/22/stories/2007112257692000.htm

Sport

Malik, Ashraf back Akhtar

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Finally, Shoaib Akhtar seems to be getting things right. Since landing here earlier this month, the speedster has been busy with what is largely seen as an image-building exercise.

From pleasing his fans by taking a cap from a Delhi Police constable and wearing it for a few moments at the conclusion of the Delhi-Pakistan warm-up game at the Kotla ground here to promoting charitable causes in other parts of the country, Akhtar is making all the right moves.

No wonder then, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Nasim Ashraf and skipper Shoaib Malik are hailing Akhtar who, not so long ago, was the undisputed “bad boy” of Pakistan cricket.

On the eve of the first Test, Malik and Ashraf took turns to praise Akhtar.

“Pace attack is our strength and Akhtar is our trump card. He has found his rhythm in the one-dayers in India. He is consistently bowling around 150 kmph. He has to play a big role if we are to win the series,” said Malik while addressing newspersons here.

Malik revealed that it was at his insistence that Akhtar cut down his run-up during the recent ODIs. “I had the over-rate in mind when I asked him to bowl from a shorter run-up.”

Earlier, at the Kotla ground, it was Ashraf who described Akhtar as an “asset to the team.”

Impressed by Akhtar’s off-the-field conduct on the current tour, Ashraf said, “His gestures are not for publicity. He is genuinely concerned about charity. He does it in Pakistan also.”