Shoaib aiming for quality, not just raw pace

Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is hoping to establish himself as a bowler of genuine quality, rather than one of simply raw pace.

"I am no longer just concentrating on speed. I am also thinking about line and length and sticking to a more consistent line. You can't be a quality bowler without that," he said after taking six wickets in Pakistan's crushing 153-run win over New Zealand in the first one-day international on Sunday.

"I am really enjoying my cricket now. There is no pressure on me about my bowling action being suspect any longer. I have got a lot of support from the Pakistan board and my team mates and that is enough for me," he added.

"When you enjoy your cricket then you tend to bowl well and in rhythm."

Shoaib completed figures of six for 16 to reach 100 wickets in one-day internationals quicker than any player in history except his captain Waqar Younis."

Waqar believes Shoaib is now a more mature bowler.

"He is not only fast, he is also bowling a consistent good line and length and trying to out-think the batsmen, which is a good sign," Waqar said.

Stand-in New Zealand captain Craig McMillan was disappointed with his team's display in the first of three matches in the series.

"We never really recovered from the loss of those three quick wickets after a good opening stand. We were always under pressure after that," he said. "I would describe this as a below-par performance.

"But I would not say that Shoaib Akhtar has any psychological hold over us now. These things happen. He bowled well."

Mail Cricket Editor