Former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar answered Indian criticism over his autobiography and said he would not apologise to anyone over remarks against Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, adding that Sachin Tendulkar is a god for the Indian public and not him.
During an interview to an Indian channel on Wednesday, Akhtar said his statements relating to Tendulkar concerned a specific series in which the Indian batsman did not perform well.
He further added that if India is a democracy then the people of the country should have the courage to listen to the truth.
Meanwhile, Pakistan cricket authorities have said that they would use confessions made by Shoaib Akhtar in his autobiography in court to justify disciplining the former international cricketer.
In the book, launched last week in India, Akhtar confessed to ball-tampering and other violations of conduct during a 14-year career that was marred by injury and discipline problems before his retirement in April this year.
The book, “Controversially Yours”, has riled Indian fans and media alike with harsh comments on batting greats Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, claiming the duo were not “match winners.”
Akhtar’s appeal against a record seven million rupee (then $82,400) disciplinary fine imposed three years ago is pending in the Lahore High Court.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) legal adviser Taffzul Rizvi said excerpts of the book will now be used in court against the one-time world’s fastest bowler.
“In a writ case it is important for someone to have clean conduct and in his autobiography Akhtar has confessed to breach of discipline and has not come out clean, so we will use them in the court case Rizvi said.
September 28, 2011
