December 15, 2007	Saturday	Zilhaj 4, 1428

NEW DELHI, Dec 14: Stung by criticism over his form and fitness on the India tour, Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar on Friday vowed to regain his reputation as one of the most fearsome bowlers in the world.

An inconsistent Pakistan lost the one-dayers 3-2 to their arch-rivals before a 1-0 drubbing in the three-match Test series, their first defeat in India in the longer version of the game in more than two decades.

Shoaib, 32, failed to live up to his tag of match-winner, struggling with his fitness in the last two Tests, which saw him frequently limp off the ground.

While he picked seven wickets from four one-dayers, a half-fit Shoaib could only manage nine from three Tests, prompting legendary Pakistan cricketer Imran Khan to question his place in the side.

Shoaib, dubbed ‘Rawalpindi Express’ for his raw pace, however, said it was unfair to judge him harshly as he was making a comeback to international cricket after a lengthy 13-match ban.

“I want to come back strongly and prove my worth to everyone. It is not easy to regain your rhythm after not playing for so long,” he said in an interview here. “I know where the faults are now, personally I have learnt a lot from this series (in India).”

Shoaib was banned primarily for striking team-mate Mohammad Asif with a bat ahead of the inaugural Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa in September.

“One should not forget that it was my comeback series, I agree I am not in the peak of my fitness but I gave my best. I tried the best that I could,” Shoaib added.

Among the Indian batsmen, Shoaib believed it was Saurav Ganguly who impressed him the most with his belligerent stroke-making.

“I found Ganguly the most challenging to bowl to. In the second innings of the first Test, he batted very well. I don’t know what he has done (to his batting) but he has been simply superb.”

Ganguly emerged as the top run-getter on either side, aggregating 534 runs from six innings at an awesome average of 89.

Shoaib, who has stayed back in India owing to personal commitments, also revealed that he had been offered acting roles.

“Three, four producers have approached me with offers to act in Bollywood films. But I have not signed anything yet,” he said.

Pakistan’s next assignment is a five-match one-day series at home against Zimbabwe followed by a much tougher assignment at home against Australia in March-April.—AFP