Shoaib Akhtar = awesome
 

The guy is a brilliant bowler, definitely one of the best in the world. He has had his fair share of injuries, suspensions, and bowling action controversies, and as a result he hasn't played as much cricket as he should have over the years. But at the moment I couldn't imagine a more fearsome sight at the bowling crease.

I'd also like to commend his attitude, it's strange how much controversy has surrounded him because IMO he has perhaps the best attitude in the Pakistan team. He is always charging in and giving it everything, even when he's getting hit around, and he's one of the most committed fielders in the team. His catch to get out Clarke was priceless imo, his casual catch technique, Awesome.

But most of all I think he is a wonderful bowler, easily (consistently)the fastest in the world, but also a thinker who bowls brilliantly at the death in ODIs.

I agree that he is a great bowler, but I don't like the way he plays the game. Always doing things differently and thinking he's above everyone else.

I Agree nibbs..

the way he plays the game is awesome. he's a real competitor who always gives 100%

i love his runup to the crease, its one of the most intimidating.
But he aint a great-yet.
To be a great, you gotto succeed against all commers in all the opportunities you've had.
Akhtar bombed bigtime versus India.
Just coz he's made a bunny outta flat track bully Matty Hayden doesnt suggest he is a great.

Yeh I suppose, I do usually like the cocky characters.

I really can't agree with that comment. Generally Shoaib gives 100% but...

Shoaib pitches the ball very well which is why he is dangerous. Its not just about pace.

Quality bowler. A few rash comments here and there but if an Aussie would have made them, they would be defended forever (example comments by Ponting).

Has been around for quite some time now at its time he is given his due respect as a top bowler.

Very good bowler, tries to give 100%.. And I think a few incidents have been blown out of proportion....

He comes across as arrogant and thinks he's bigger than the team to me. He's always sulking. Good cricketer yes but sometimes you think the team might be better off without his disruptive influence.

several others do
McGrath, Ponting, Graeme Smith, Ganguly, Fleming,Lara, etc etc.
no biggie.

I agree that Shoaib comes across as arrogant, but none of these others except for Lara and Ganguly, plus Simon Jones.

ponting comes across as arrogant and has so many times. so does Graeme smith and McGrath
Fleming is a boderline case though but i've seen him being arrogant a few times.

lol Fleming arrogant? I would say Scott Styris and Craig McMillan are probably the only real arrogant guys in the NZ team and i don't think that it is really a bad thing

Wow what a suprising comment given you are from Melbourne..