Minutes after landing in the country, controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said that he was looking forward to a fruitful stint in the Indian Premier League and thanked Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan for his support. ( Watch )"I am happy to be in India. I am looking forward to play in the IPL," said Akhtar, who landed at around 1600 hrs at the Indira Gandhi International Airport from Lahore and was mobbed by reporters and shutterbugs to cause a melee of sorts.
"I am grateful to the people of India for embracing me, especially (team owner) Shah Rukh Khan who supported me. Eden Gardens is like my home ground. I am looking ahead to be there soon," added Akhtar.
The speedster is free to play for Shah Rukh-owned Kolkata Knight Riders after the Pakistan Cricket Board temporarily suspended his five-year ban. ( Watch )
Akhtar, who leaves for Kolkata by an Indian domestic flight in the evening, admitted that he would have to undergo a strict training and acclimatize with the conditions though he had visited the country late last year.
"I have not played cricket for four months. I have to acclimatize with the conditions and undergo a hard training. I want to do my bit for my team," he said while refusing to talk about his appeal pending before an Appellate Tribunal in Pakistan.
"I don't want to talk about the case, it is pending before a tribunal," he said.
0 comments:
Post a Comment