‘Rawal Pindi Express’ captivates fans at Sharjah International Book Festival
Sharjah: On the closing day of the 41st International Book Festival, the eagerly awaited UAE people saw a ‘Rawalpindi Express’ that bowled its heart out to the audience.
Pakistani cricket legend Shuhaib Akhtar, who was the favorite star and fast bowler of cricket fans around the world, was walking back to his childhood for a moment. It was when a small boy curiously walked onto the stage and tripped in front of Akhtar while he was talking to a packed audience in the ballroom of the International Book Fair in Nagari. Remembering his childhood, Akhtar ran and snatched the child.
‘I was born flat-footed. Suddenly I remembered those old days when I walked with stumbling feet,’ Akhtar said holding the child like a baby bird at that moment.
‘But he is not like me. His legs are healthy,’ He continued by handing over the little boy to his parents.
The 47-year-old cricket legend was speaking at a face-to-face program organized under the auspices of Basam-e-Urdu on the twelfth day of the International Book Festival.
Basam-e-Urdu is a non-profit organization promoting the Urdu language. Akhtar was interviewed by Tara-Noom-Ahmed, a familiar face in Urdu literary circles in the UAE and a member of Basam-e-Urdu.
The program with Shuhaib Akhtar started with a session on ‘Dastangoi’, a 13th century Urdu storytelling art form.
Renowned storyteller from India, Syed Sahil Agha, gave wings to the evening program ‘Dastan-e-Shoyab Akhtar’ by presenting it in the form of a story with interesting details and anecdotes from Akhtar’s life.
poor times
Shuhaib Akhtar then spoke about the days of poverty when he had only two shirts and two pairs of jeans. A juice seller and a horse-drawn cart-puller would regularly assist him at that time. Akhtar came back to them when he became a cricketer. They were supported and kept together in life.
Talking about his love for Urdu, Akhtar mentioned that the language has blurred the border between India and Pakistan and connected people.
“I have respect for Urdu speaking people in India. Last night I met Indian poet, lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar in UAE. I have a lot of admiration for him,’ Shuhaib Akhtar added.
He appealed to his fans that one should never forget their roots and never give up in life.
‘Human beings have been given great powers by the Almighty. Humans have immense potential and we must explore, uncover and work towards the maximum we can achieve as individuals.
The important thing in life is to keep trying,” Akhtar said looking at the excited crowd.
The Pakistani cricket legend had the look of a traveler on his journey from wild bowling to the world of Sufism as he uttered those words.
CONTENT HIGHLIGHT: story on Pakistan Cricketer Shuob Akthar’s participation in Sharjah International Book Fair