I regret losing to India in the World Cup semi finals: Shoaib Akhtar

Bowling superstar Shoaib Akhtar on teamwork, playing for Pakistan, and his nose.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

When I get the feeling that my parents are happy.

What is your greatest fear?

It is definitely losing my parents .

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

I don’t like my mood swings.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

I hate people who think they are better than others.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Clothes and food.

What is your current state of mind?

I feel free, like I’m not restricted.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

When people say that they believe in luck and destiny… I believe that you have to go out there and make your own luck.

On what occasion do you lie?

When I’m actually sleeping and I say I’m not at home.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

My nose.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Selflessness.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Wisdom.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

“Idiot”.

When and where were you happiest?

Everyday, when I’m relaxing on my sofa after the gym watching National Geographic.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

My nose.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Playing for Pakistan.

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

I would like to come back as a human being with fewer flaws.

Where would you most like to live?

Islamabad.

What is your most treasured possession?

My mother.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

To lose respect.

If you didn’t do your current job, what would you choose to do?

I would be in England working at a restaurant or still playing for minor leagues.

Who is your hero of fiction?

The Hulk.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

None, they are all too great for me.

Who are your heroes in real life?

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

What is your greatest regret?

Losing to India in the World Cup semi finals.

What do you fear most, lizards or cockroaches?

Neither.

What’s your favourite quote?

“I don’t believe in teamwork; give me a team that works!”

What kind of super powers would you like to have?

I would like to have the power to be able to feed the poor.

If you had a time machine, where would you go?

Back in time to when Islam began. I would love to witness it with my own eyes… but then fast-forward to the present.

Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, May 8^th, 2011.