December 04, 2007	Tuesday	Ziqa'ad 23, 1428

KOLKATA, Dec 3: Eversince Pakistan arrived in India at the start of last month, Shoaib Akhtar has been in the news almost every day for his off-field activities.

The ‘Rawalpindi Express’, who was derailed for six days by viral bronchitis recently, is now reconsidering a Bollywood offer at a time when the Pakistanis are focussing their attention to level the series.

The 32-year-old speedster, who earlier had turned down a role in Mahesh Bhatt’s movie called Gangster, has now decided to change his mind.

“A director is coming to meet me in Bangalore when we go there for the final Test later this week,” Shoaib told reporters during a visit to a saloon here at Park Street on Sunday. “I’m open to acting offers in Bollywood. Let’s see how things shape up this time.”

On his playing the Kolkata Test despite lacking fitness, the moody fast bowler said: “It was entirely my decision to play the Test.

The team management didn’t force it on me.”

When asked about the difficulties he had to go through on the first day of the match, Shoaib replied: “For the first two overs everything was a blur. I couldn’t even see the batsman properly. I’m feeling a little feverish, but in the second innings, I am trying to do a better job.”