New, improved Shoaib Akhtar is good sign for Pakistan

When asked for his new-found motivation, Shoaib Akhtar pointed to the Pakistan emblem on his shirt. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / Reuters

Until that fateful day in August 2010 when cricket was thrown into turmoil by the News of The World spot-fixing expose, one would have struggled to find a single personality in the game who has inspired so much diatribe, hyperbole or comment than a wonderfully gifted fast bowler by the name of Shoaib Akhtar of Pakistan.
To his avid and dedicated fans he is known as the "Rawalpindi Express", denoting his speed and locomotive like determination.
However, to his many critics, the term "Rawalpindi Rickshaw" is more acceptable, signifying their belief in his penchant for a lot of noise and not much substance. Regardless of loyalties, the fact is that his name evokes many shades of emotions and that is what makes Shoaib so special to cricket.
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His 13-year career summary reads like a script tailor made for a Bollywood blockbuster.
It starts with our hero, a handsome young tearaway bowler, who charms the cricketing world with his pace and physical prowess. His muscular frame pounds the turf as he delivers thunderbolt after thunderbolt from his marathon run up.
It is replete with villains and romantic interests. It features various ups and downs in his life in the form of unplayable deliveries to a who's who of world batting including Sachin Tendulkar, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, and Jacques Kallis, coupled with doubts over his action, various and potentially career-ending injuries, run ins with authorities, bans for using performance enhancing drugs, tales of "extra curricular" activities and an incident where he is accused of spanking a teammate with a bat.
His admirers and detractors would both agree that he has not delivered to his potential and a little more discipline would have taken him further afield.
It therefore stands to reason that the image of a carefree Shoaib, riding around unfettered on a motorbike in Lahore, defying the world order and old fashioned values, throwing caution to the wind, is one that seems to be agreed upon by all.
His role as Pakistan's premier fast bowler, at least in the one-day game, was intact for most parts of his career - the fact that Pakistan could never produce anyone in the likeness of the former greats was a contributing factor as was the perceived mismanagement of other resources.
That was the case until a precocious young talent arrived on the scene. His name was Mohammed Aamer and it became immediately apparent that Shoaib's role at the forefront of Pakistan bowling was at an end.
And so it appeared that Shoaib's eccentric ways, injuries and the rise of the young Aamer was steadily propelling him to an unceremonious exit from the game he loves - until that day in August 2010. This was the day when the cricketing world and most of Pakistan cricket fans woke up to face one of the most damaging crises to hit the game. While many in the world considered the impact on the careers of the accused, Shoaib's longevity was being dealt an unexpected boost.
Suddenly, Shoaib was being looked upon as the knight in shining armour, riding (or stumbling with a dodgy knee) to help Pakistan gain some semblance of respect. If his doubters were expecting the usual list of injuries and other excuses for Shoaib to limp off mid game or for dropping out of the team, they were provided with a nasty jolt. A new and improved version of Shoaib had arrived and was here to stay.
It started with that heart-thumping, flag-kissing performance at Chester-le-Street in England. His new-found determination was impressive but what brought tears to many Pakistani eyes was the sincerity of the effort in that bowling spell. The sight of a rejuvenated Shoaib running in to bowl to English batsmen with all the might that he could muster was, in all probability, a rallying cry for a fragmented and beleaguered Pakistan team desperate to regain their bearings.
Shoaib followed that performance with an interrupted string of appearances for Pakistan that must have filled fans with joy.
If he had injuries or niggles, he limped through them, if there was a temptation to return to his bad boy ways, he shrugged them off. The new Shoaib was having none of that. He could sense that after years of promising so much, his time had finally arrived and he has not disappointed - yet.
Team Pakistan are now in the middle of their World Cup 2011 campaign. A lot is expected from Shoaib and from what can be seen from his contributions so far, the determination and fire to succeed is present in ample proportions.
He may not look a picture of good health - heavy bandages on his knees showing quite clearly beneath his trousers - an occasional wince and a belaboured walk back to his bowling mark, but make no mistake, the Shoaib of today is playing for Pakistan.
His tally in the World Cup is two wickets but his low economy rate (3.5 runs per over) and the psychological effect of having a bowler of that stature is immeasurable.
The fact he is now bowling from a shortened run up when that same issue a few years ago ignited a ferocious debate with the then Pakistan coach, the late Bob Woolmer, is proof enough of a changed man. The ball to dismiss Mahela Jayawardene of Sri Lanka in the group game is being termed the delivery of the tournament and is bringing back memories of days gone by.
Is all this another false dawn? Is Shoaib one delivery away from another of his famous breakdowns and a let-down for his fans? Will he take a seat in cricket's hall of fame next to the other Pakistan greats such as Fazal Mahmood, Imran Khan, Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram?
His fans and foes can ponder that at will but none can doubt his commitment to the present cause as he so eloquently described on a pre-game television interview. When asked for his motivation to perform in this World cup - he simply pointed to the Pakistan emblem on his shirt and said: "This".
 
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