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Controversially Yours: An Autobiography

by Shoaib Akhtar

3.67 of 5 stars 3.67 · rating details · 250 ratings · 31 reviews

Shoaib Akhtar has been one of the most colorful characters in the history of cricket. He is the fastest bowler in the world, who set an official world record by achieving the fastest delivery when he clocked in at 161.3 km/ph (100.2 mph) twice in the same match. Having taken more than 400 wickets in international cricket, he is a phenomenal cricketer too.

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Hardcover , First Edition , 280 pages

Published September 25th 2011 by Harper Collins India

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Lists with This Book

The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid

A Case of Exploding Mangoes by Mohammed Hanif

Notable Books by Pakistani Authors

32nd out of 162 books — 159 voters

A Corner of a Foreign Field by Ramachandra Guha

Cricket

22nd out of 181 books — 50 voters

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Mar 18, 2014 Muhammad Arqum rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: lives-bios-autobios

Look it's not even so much about how the book is written, because frankly, it isn't all that great. But it's Shoaib bhai we are talking about:D. Hate him all you want, despise his over confident personality but you gotta admit he had talent, talent of bowling FAST and MEAN! At points you are like man, was everybody against Shoaib? Why couldn't he just admit that he was way too cocky for our dressing room. I liked his beginnings, he was truly an ordinary Pakistani, I believe most of young Pakista ...more

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Feb 28, 2013 Sana R. Gondal rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was filled with the sort of information you really can't find elsewhere. Not only do we get a look into Shoaib's personal life and version of events but also a glimpse at Pakistan's social and political conditions over the period of a decade. Actually, not just Pakistan, a few more countries across the cricket sphere too.

The inside jokes between the actual living legends of cricket, the sort of knowledge only experience can reveal- this book was an eye opener.

I felt like Shoaib used th ...more

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May 01, 2014 Aimal Khan rated it 3 of 5 stars

In an era of Pakistani cricketing giants, Shoaib Akthar was a towering figure. From 1999 to 2005 there was no better sight than Shoaib Akthar running half the length of the filed, steaming in with his slinging action and throwing the ball like an escaped missile at some of the finest batsmen in the world and making them look like hapless victims on the way.

Throughout his career, Shoaib Akthar has always been a polarising figure. But no one can deny that he didn't have talent or can question his In an era of Pakistani cricketing giants, Shoaib Akthar was a towering figure. From 1999 to 2005 there was no better sight than Shoaib Akthar running half the length of the filed, steaming in with his slinging action and throwing the ball like an escaped missile at some of the finest batsmen in the world and making them look like hapless victims on the way.

Throughout his career, Shoaib Akthar has always been a polarising figure. But no one can deny that he didn't have talent or can question his passion and commitment to Pakistani cricket. Its hard to believe that someone with so much talent and passion for the game only ended up played 46 tests and 178 ODI's in an 18 year career. But his statistics don't tell the whole story. Controversy has always followed Shoaib Akthar both on and off the filed. Sometimes his own fault other times a victim of his own reputation. Which is why this is an important book. it gives him an opportunity to set the record straight, to tell his side of the story.

The book it self isn't a literary masterpiece. Its not going to win any awards but what it does well is give a vivid and entertaining account of Shoaib's rise from a poor background to a global superstar. Although it does tends to repeat itself at times. For example how he was a misunderstood child and his lack of consulars and guidance thought out his life. Reading the book, its hard to figure out which poor soul would have been willing to guide him anyway. While shoaib gives an account of the the major controversies in his career, at times it feel like he blames everyone but himself. Even when he accepts the blame, he still tries to come out at the innocent party or a hapless victim in it all. Which definitely sounds like the shoaib we love, hate and admire..sometimes all at the same time.

There are several funny anecdotes spread throughout the book. And times i couldn't help but laugh out loud. We get a glimpse into dressing room and inner working of Pakistani cricket. Shoaib also makes his feelings clear about the PCB, whom he holds responsible for ruining Pakistani cricket and players. Its hard to disagree with him on that. He also gives his option on team mates and other players such as Sachin, Gravid, Lara, Pointing etc. By now you have probably heard and read about the controversy stemmed up by the Indian media. Maybe they hadn't read the book because shoaib praised Sachin plenty of times in the book. The media definitely took some of the quotes out of context and ran with it.

For reasons unknown, shoaib chose to gloss over some of the major turning points in his career. for example the 1999 world cup which made him a superstar, the 2003 world cup the 2005 tour of India and the death of Bob Woolmer etc.

As i said above, the book is not going to win awards but its an enjoyable read for all cricket fans especially from Pakistan. Shoaib always wore his heart on his sleeves..what you see is what you get with him. This book is not going to change your opinion of him. If you are his fan, then you will love him even more after reading this and if you are not then its safe to assume that you wont become one after reading the book either. Regardless of what you think of him... you have to admit..the guy was true superstar and continues to divide opinions even after his retirement.
...more

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Apr 10, 2014 Naveed Nawaz rated it 4 of 5 stars

Such an apt title. Indeed Controversially ours. I am from Rawalpindi and this book was double special for me. For me, Shoaib is one of the most intelligent fast bowlers ever. Faster than the speeding bullet, charging down with that long long run up, what a thrill to watch this guy. The book is a good read too. I enjoyed it a lot. I remember the rumors circling around Rawalpindi before Shaoib's test debut in 1996/97 that there was this fast bowler from Rawalpindi who was finding it hard to get in ...more

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Jul 15, 2014 Umesh Kesavan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: autobiography-memoir , cricket , non-fiction

"How many diamonds can you retrieve from one single mine; there has to be an end somewhere. I don't see any natural fast bowler after me." - Shoaib Akhtar

Humility has never been the Rawalpindi Express’ strength and this is evident in every page of his autobiography. In one paragraph,he compares his looks to that of Indian actor Salman Khan and in another,he avers “I was the star performer,so you can imagine how many of those girls crowded around me”. This self-obsession reaches its peak when he "How many diamonds can you retrieve from one single mine; there has to be an end somewhere. I don't see any natural fast bowler after me." - Shoaib Akhtar

Humility has never been the Rawalpindi Express’ strength and this is evident in every page of his autobiography. In one paragraph,he compares his looks to that of Indian actor Salman Khan and in another,he avers “I was the star performer,so you can imagine how many of those girls crowded around me”. This self-obsession reaches its peak when he strongly feels that had he been a part of the 2007 world cup team, he would have been charged of Bob Woolmer’s death!

Take away this shameless vanity and what emerges is a disturbing portrait of Pakistani cricket where captains are spineless slaves, one fast bowler schemes against the another,a former captain drives taxi in England and players contemplate suicide. Akhtar blames the PCB for this despondent state of affairs. His run-ins with Ashraf Naseem,the then PCB chairman make for fascinating reading. They also reveal how even the topmost leaders in the government have a direct say in cricket affairs.

When the book itself is blatantly titled “controversially yours”, it is fair to expect some really juicy anecdotes and allegations. Shoaib openly admits to have done ball tampering and says that every fast bowler does it at some point of his career. For Indian readers, the most exasperating parts are the ones where he writes that Rahul Dravid,inspite of his great technique,was not a match winner ! He insinuates that Sachin Tendulkar played for his records first and his team next. It is tough to judge whether such inanities were written straight out of his heart or they were just publicity seeking lines to market the book because Sachin always Sells.

Negativity dominates his portrayal of the dressing room where “fistfights,knives flashed around,bats swung at each other” were common sights. A particularly funny anecdote involves Saqlain Mushtaq chasing around Javed Miandad with a bat and the other teammates following them with a smile in their faces. The acrimony as portrayed in the chapter on dressing room has reflected on the team’s performance which has always been mercurial.

The book’s best parts relate to his childhood and adolescent years. His harrowing experiences during the riots at Karachi underline the vagaries of life in a volatile country like Pakistan.Shoaib rising up the cricket ladder from an underprivileged background has been poignantly captured in the first few chapters.

The book’s biggest drawback is it has more of Shoaib the Star and less of Shoaib The Bowler. Insights into his greatest spells in Colombo and New Zealand are missing and what we get instead are his run-ins with his teammates,coaches,umpires and PCB. Inspite of such pitfalls, this book is a welcome addition to literature on cricket. There is vanity, there is candour, there is controversy, there is unbridled aggression - all the attributes one would perennially associate with a man who once clean bowled Sachin Tendulkar and silenced a million at Eden Gardens.
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Feb 09, 2014 Awaisha Inayat rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Awaisha by: Arfah Faiq

Shelves: favorites

A book recommended by my friend. A cricketer with a most interesting character in a Pakistani Cricket for many years and the book presents the first hand account of his career. the book wasn't disappointing at all! an awesome read for any cricket fan, once i started it was hard to put down. Thank you Arfah! :)

"How many diamonds can you retrieve from one single mine; there has to be an end somewhere. I don't see any natural fast bowler after me." - Shoaib Akhtar

Every Cricket fan must read this a A book recommended by my friend. A cricketer with a most interesting character in a Pakistani Cricket for many years and the book presents the first hand account of his career. the book wasn't disappointing at all! an awesome read for any cricket fan, once i started it was hard to put down. Thank you Arfah! :)

"How many diamonds can you retrieve from one single mine; there has to be an end somewhere. I don't see any natural fast bowler after me." - Shoaib Akhtar

Every Cricket fan must read this and being a Pakistani one must read him! Truly, He is irreplaceable. The book is filled with information which one cant find elsewhere. Not only his personal life and cricket life, Akhtar has shed light upon the economic, social and political conditions of Pakistan from the view of cricketer and being a Pakistani. Also revealing that how the top most leaders have the direct say in the cricket affairs.

"Controversially yours" is like shoaib akhtar talking directly to his fans. I loved the way punjabi/urdu touches were used, making it more interesting and enjoyable! The Dressing Room, was the hilarious reading however! The jokes between between the living legends of cricket and the sort of knowledge which only experience can reveal-IT WAS AN EYE OPENER!

This player hides nothing, descriptive and honest-book containing bold narrative about going through some trying times but leaving his mark where he went. does it give him a right to (sometimes) be an asshole? I guess, i can't decide that but i now i know what provoked such controversies in his life. I also forgive "Rawalpandi express" for his "SLIGHT" arrogance in the book because when you're the fastest, the scariest bowler, you sort of deserve to be a little proud of yourself.

Thank your Rawalpindi Express! Thank you for all the wickets and the wins!

...more

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Feb 11, 2013 Hassan Javed rated it 5 of 5 stars

A book I had really looked forward to read. Shoaib Akhtar, probably the most interesting character in Pakistani cricket for many years, and here the book presents a first hand account of his career. I must say the book was not disappointing! Once I started reading it was very hard to put the book down again, a read for any cricket fan! The way the book was written was too simple for my liking however small touches in urdu/punjabi were definitely enjoyed. His views on everything from his scandals ...more

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Apr 15, 2012 Abdullah Farooki rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: cricket

Although the book isn't exceptionally well written and the depth / range of thoughts conveyed are somewhat limited and repetitive; however, there are quite a few interesting anecdotes and stories that most of the public is not familiar or does not associate Shoaib Akhtar with. Would have perhaps given the book 2.5 stars if there were an option in Good Reads.

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Aug 30, 2012 Tassavur rated it 3 of 5 stars

A controversial career ended with a controversy and Shoaib intends to keep it that way with this book.
Is a personal account of Shoaib Akhtar's thoughts and views which he had during his playing days as he himself claims.

Is recommended only for Akhtar fans, rest will find it boring...

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Jan 23, 2015 Huma rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: autobiogarphy , pakistani-lit , cricket , non-fiction

Great read! It was nice to hear things from his perspective...how Shoaib Bhai sees the world? From the dressing room incidents, to Shoaib's naughty childhood...the book has many gems for cricket's lovers.

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Oct 20, 2014 Bakhsh Rehman rated it 4 of 5 stars

Rawalpindi Express!! Inspiring one, The way of his hard work struggle is speechless. Though he was suffering from asthma and he was flat footed. Respect (y)

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Feb 12, 2012 Asif rated it 3 of 5 stars

I found it surprisingly frank and quite enjoyable although there was not enough about cricket. The PCB come across v badly.

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Aug 24, 2015 Kaustubh Dudhane rated it 4 of 5 stars

I had read a review where it was mentioned that the book is more about Shoaib the Superstar than Shoaib the Cricketer. I completely agree with it after reading the book.
Although the book illustrates a lot of funny incidents involving Saqlain, Moin Khan & Mushtaq Ahmed, it talks more about the wrongs of PCB and other officials in Pakistan cricket. However, the book gives the insights about how the cricket in Pakistan is literally ruled by political leaders.
A must read, I would say but keep ...more

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Apr 09, 2013 Sravani Reddy rated it 5 of 5 stars

I like this cricketer and so i found this book interesting knowing what actually happened in his life...

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Feb 04, 2014 Muhammad Usama Memon rated it 5 of 5 stars

A great book specially if you are a shoaib akhtar fan really ans inspiring and a must read

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Oct 20, 2013 Tariq Mahmood rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: pakistan , sports , biography

Not only has the book been written by someone else but looks like quite a bit of the material is also influenced by the writer. Like Shoaib mentions that his school had no counsellor. Being a Pakistani myself, I can pretty much confirm that very very few schools in Pakistan have counsellors, so I don't know what Shoaib is trying to prove here especially when you consider his pretty low middle class upbringing? Maybe he was trying to justify his extra ordinary naughty behaviour when in school and Not only has the book been written by someone else but looks like quite a bit of the material is also influenced by the writer. Like Shoaib mentions that his school had no counsellor. Being a Pakistani myself, I can pretty much confirm that very very few schools in Pakistan have counsellors, so I don't know what Shoaib is trying to prove here especially when you consider his pretty low middle class upbringing? Maybe he was trying to justify his extra ordinary naughty behaviour when in school and college? A more likely explanation is that he was just acting up in an attempt to get noticed as he had desire from an early age for success, both for malarial goods, travelling and fame.

Shoaib also rightly credits Rawalpindi Cricket Club for grooming him. This club has patrons within the Pakistan Army which itself is the most merit aware institution in Pakistan.
Another aspect which helped Shoaib in his formative years is his positive outlook. He has acknowledged that he avoided people with negative outlooks on life and focused instead only on the positives. This single minded devotion to success probably also helped his chances in the cutthroat Pakistani cricket youth scene.

Shoaib comes across as a for-ever-angry-young-man, which although is a necessary state in the beginning when you are trying to make it but has to discarded when you have made it. His book is filled with stark contradictions, no one helped him but there are quite a few named by him who have helped in with their time and money in the same book; seniors never groomed him but there seem to be many seniors like Majid, Waqar and Imran encouraging him in his own words at other places in the book; BCCP never helped him but the Chairman sent him to Australia to get his suspect bowling action certified.

The thing is that coming from a low background helped him rise above the competition. It generated a desire of monster proportions inside him to succeed with his family having no other options but to allow him to keep playing. Most middle class families would diverted his energies into some other mundane 9-5 job.

And most of all Shaoib's anti-Pakistani rants were very difficult to digest. He is a cricketer not a politician or an philosopher. There were sections in the book where Shoaib was trying to solve Pakistani issues like debt and joblessness. I wish he had had the sense to edit some of these vile comments from his book but then it wouldn't exactly make it controversial would it? Shoaib needs to realise that maybe when he complains over and over again how no one listens to him in Pakistan he actually means that he doesn't listen to everyone around him? How can he discredit his country of birth when all he achieved was in the same dis functional country, the same inept system and the same unimpressed cricket control board? If everyone was so apathetic then how was he ever selected for the Pakistan cricket team?

All in all the book makes excellent readings, with unique inside into the world of Pakistani cricket seen from the eyes of a cricketer coming from an ordinary lower class family. I wish most other players would take the time out and write similar books about their lives as it does make very interesting insight into what-makes-Pakistan-tick. This book is politically incorrect and candid view of life as viewed by Shoaib who seems does seem to love controversy.

Is this chip on the shoulder attitude prevalent in most Pakistanis?

Shoaib seemed to have learnt his lesson by the end of his chequered career in the form of this most valuable advice for any budding cricketer,' it's best to relax, keep your mouth shut, not go complaining from pillor to post, and to remain alert for opportunities. There is a solution to all of one's problems but they will appear in their own time, so one must learn to sit it out and stop panicking.'

Nice Shoaib Bhai, this alone merits 5 stars for your book effort at least. If not for anything else just one chapter called 'The dressing room' makes hilarious reading. ...more

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Apr 14, 2015 Neeraj Pandey rated it 4 of 5 stars

All Indians with '..KAR' Attitude and all who were offended by it should read. Its much more than what we think of it . Second last chapter "Where do we go from here" is sad, made be feel bad about the state of cricket in Pakistan.

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Jul 26, 2014 Mick rated it 2 of 5 stars

Frank, repetitive and too much self-aggrandizement.

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May 23, 2014 Tushar rated it 4 of 5 stars

A detailed review coming up soon! Shall attach it here! :P

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Feb 19, 2012 Prathyush Thota rated it 2 of 5 stars

A lot of confessions and stories which didn't surprise me, probably because that's how things work in the sub-continent. Focuses on how his attitude has resulted in both successes and controversies along with all the politics with in the Pakistan cricket team and outside. Not so well written too.

If anyone wants to read it borrow from me, don't buy it, not worth it.

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Apr 20, 2015 Azwad Enam rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: biography

The book was nothing extraordinary but Shoaib Akhter is a larger than life character. I did not liked how he used his book to blame others for his problem. I have to say he is very hones in accepting his own mistakes. Also this book gave a sneak peak into turbulent Pakistani cricket and its management.

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Jan 20, 2013 Ali rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-seventh-grade

"Controversially Yours", by Shoaib Akhtar is a vivid and exhilarating autobiography. This book truly shares details and opinions. This cricket player hides nothing and lives up to his reputation of controversial actions. This book is descriptive and honest. I recommend this book to any one seeking inspiration or enjoys exhilarating true tales.

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Sep 12, 2013 Fahad Khan is currently reading it

Controversially Yours: An Autobiography

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Jun 17, 2012 Amrit Datta rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: cricket-books

nothing great about the writing but where else can u get better anecdotes about the controversies in international cricket

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Mar 21, 2012 Shakti nagpal rated it 3 of 5 stars

its always good to know behind the screen facts.. good book .. never know this man so much... good..

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Mar 27, 2013 Anupam Dev rated it 3 of 5 stars

LOVE HIM OR HATE HIM ...HE WAS THE FASTEST ..AND THE BOOK IS VERILY BLUNT DESERVES A READ..

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Mar 29, 2014 Mir Zubair rated it 3 of 5 stars

ok... nice read if u wana know abt pak cricket and shoaib

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Oct 20, 2012 Darshan rated it 2 of 5 stars

Read if you are interested in understanding this person

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Feb 05, 2013 Subbu rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: biographies , sports

just someone blowing his own trumpet.

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May 19, 2013 Mohit Gupta rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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About Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar is a former Pakistani cricketer. Shoaib holds the record for being the fastest bowler in the history of international cricket, he made his Test debut in November 1997 and played his first One Day International four months later.

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