PAKISTAN’S RETIRING SPEEDSTER SHOAIB AKHTAR SAYS HE WAS NEVER FRIGHTENED BY SACHIN TENDULKAR

Pakistan’s retiring speedster Shoaib Akhtar says he was never frightened by Sachin Tendulkar

Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akhtar has said that Sachin Tendulkar has never frightened him as a batsman. Tendulkar is considered as one of the best batsmen in the history of the game and arguably the best in the modern era, but the Rawalpindi Express rates Brian Lara and Adam Gilchrist above the little master.

Akhtar said that Tendulkar is no doubt a great player and he has a lot of respect for the Indian batting maestro, but added that Lara and Gilchrist were much more dangerous because of their ability to take on any bowling attack of the world.

The fastest bowler of the modern era confessed that he was in awe of the two left-handed batsmen.

“He (Sachin) is a legend and will always remain as one. But Sachin would never scare me. Guys like Gilchrist and Lara would scare the hell out of me.”

Akhtar has announced that he will retire from international cricket after the ICC World Cup, 2011.

Akhtar, who made his international debut in 1997, has had a career full of fitness problems. Apart from injuries, Shoaib faced a number of controversies including questions about his bowling action at the start of his career.

However, he is regarded as one of the fastest bowlers ever and has been a genuine match winner for his side, blowing away many batting lineups of the world.

The speedster was advised by doctors in childhood not to run because he is flat-footed by birth; but against all odds he became one of the best athletes the world of cricket has ever seen.

 “There were two Shoaib Akhtars in me. One that told me to ’give up cricket’ and the other one that said ‘conquer the odds.’ The second one always prevailed. It’s because of this today I am playing the World Cup,” the Rawalpindi Express said.