"It is not surprising that the Indians have struggled" - Shoaib Akhtar says Indian batsmen will find it tough in South Africa

Shoaib Akhtar

There’s always something interesting when Shoaib Akhtar speaks. The former Pakistan speedster has a mind of his own and his opinions generally always cook up quite a storm.

This time the Rawalpindi Express has decided to share his thoughts about the struggling Indian batting in South Africa. Shoaib Akhtar says that he is not surprised at how the Indian batsmen have been unable to cope with the pace and bounce of the South African wickets.

“It is not surprising that the Indians have struggled. It happens with every team in the first few matches because of the different conditions and pitches but the Indian batsmen will be really tested in Tests.”

The Pakistan pacer also expressed his feelings about how the Pakistan team management didn’t allow him to play against India in Mohali in the 2011 World Cup semi finals that India won by 29 runs. The Pakistani star says that even though the captain Shahid Afridi wanted him to play, the then coaching staff ntikhab Alam and Waqar Younis didn’t allow him to go on field.

“When I learnt the team management, Intikhab Alam and Waqar Younis had declared me unfit for the semi-final even though the captain Shahid Afridi wanted me to play, I wanted to go into the ground.”

That decision hurt him and made him so mad that he could have even killed someone that day.

“It was the most shattering experience for me and believe me at that time if I could and if God had allowed me I would have killed someone. Playing against India in a World Cup semi-final was the biggest match for me and I knew if I played I would have gone flat out in the first 10 overs as those overs would decide the match. It hurts they didn’t play me although I asked them tell me how did you decide I am unfit.”

The maverick pacer then goes on to criticise the former Pakistani great Waqar Younis by labeling him as “not a good coach and not a good captain”.

“Waqar was neither a good captain nor a good coach,” Akhtar said.

Incidentally, Waqar Younis was inducted in the ICC Hall of Fame recently and Akhtar’s recent comments will surely let the sparks fly.