Shoaib Akhtar represented Pakistan in 46 Tests, 163 ODIs and 15 T20Is.
Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar recalled his struggle to become a star in Pakistan cricket. Akhtar used to hide from two females in his neighborhood who always insulted him whenever he went for cricket practice.
In a chat with Sportskeeda, Akhtar revealed that those aunties doubted him whenever he told them about his goals. Not only those two females but even when the speedster went for trials at Rawalpindi, there were questions raised on his cricket talent.
“This story is from the early days of my career. I was giving trials for Pindi (Rawalpindi) and was told that I am very aggressive and doubts were raised about my talent as a cricketer. So I used to ask everyone, ‘why are you saying that?’. And I was told, ‘we have never seen such a miracle happen before'. I replied that ‘if you have never seen it happen, then I will make it happen’. But those guys were adamant that it was very difficult. Even the people in my area said the same," he said.
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Akhtar never gave up on his dreams despite being doubted by his neighbors. He believed in replying to them with his success instead of words. “Two ladies in my locality used to constantly taunt me when I used to go for practice. They used to often ask me where I was going. I used to reply that 'I was going to become a star'. Little did I know that these two khalas (aunties) were actually helping me in becoming a star.
"They used to insult and taunt me every day. They used to tell me, ‘tera kuch nahi hona’ (you are not going to become a star). And I used to reply back, ‘please wait a little, I am the next big thing of the nation’."
Finally, Akhtar showed them the result of his hardwork after being picked for the Pakistan cricket team. He made his international debut for Pakistan against West Indies at Rawalpindi in 1997.
“I used to run at least eight miles one way and then eight miles back to my place again. But I was very scared of those two khalas. I used to try to hide from them when I stepped out to go for practice. They would, however, always stand in the corner to catch me because they did not have too much other work.”
“So I went to see those two females. And there they were standing. They told me, ‘we have heard you made it to the Pakistan team’. And I reminded them - ‘I had told you I would become a star. Why didn’t you believe me?’. But their reply was, ‘let’s see how long you can last’. And then I proclaimed, ‘I don’t know if you two would be there to see it but I will become a big star’.”
“Those two ladies were secretly motivating and encouraging me to succeed. Those two females standing, in a corner, who helped me become a star, haven't forgotten me till date," he said.
(With Sportskeeda Inputs)