Shoaib Akhtar has dinner with Salman Khan

Shoaib Akhtar has dinner with Salman Khan


Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is currently in India on an eight-day visit to Mumbai and is put up at the Hilton Towers. The Rawalpindi Express visited the Haji Ali dargah on his arrival to the city. Soon after on Monday night he met Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan at his Bandstand bungalow, Mannat. An avid cricket fan and the owner of the Kolkata IPL team, Shah Rukh has a huge liking for Shoaib’s game.

And now a well-placed source in the industry, close to Shoaib, informs us, “Shoaib visited Bollywood heartthrob Salman Khan at his residence last night. They had dinner together and were chatting for around 45 minutes”. There is buzz that Shoaib is quite keen to enter the world of Bollywood. But since he is quite unaware of the field and doesn’t really know how to start about, he has been trying to set his foothold in Bollywood by meeting up with superstars who are close to him. Both Salman and Shah Rukh seem to be supporting him in Bollywood.

The source adds, “Shoaib is also keen to meet Sanjay Dutt now. He has already had a word with Sanju when he landed in Mumbai. They might meet anytime soon”.

Shoiab’s tryst in Bollywood started when he was offered the title role by Mahesh Bhatt in Gangster . But he declined the offer at that time. Some days back he reportedly signed a Hindi film opposite Hanshika Motwani titled Main Aur Meri Himmat .

SRK woos Shoaib

SRK woos Shoaib



The Rawalpindi Express is gearing up to thunder over the Indian cricket scene in a big way. Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is in Mumbai to meet Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who is also the owner of the Kolkata IPL team.

On Monday night, Shoaib met King Khan at his Bandstand bungalow, Mannat and another meeting is scheduled for later.

A well-placed source in the industry, who is close to Shoaib, says, "Shah Rukh will definitely offer Shoaib a bomb of a price to be on his team. Both are unlikely to disagree over money as they go back a long way. "

The source adds, "Shah Rukh has made it clear to all his associates that he wants very fiery players on his team; players who will only play to win."

Shoaib has already met with Shah Rukh's associates and team members. Sources say that Shoaib is also eager to meet with Sanjay Dutt while he is in Mumbai. He apparently called Dutt as soon as he landed on Monday morning and Dutt has agreed to meet him.

Meanwhile, prospective Kolkata IPL skipper Sourav Ganguly said that there was no question of IPL games moving out of Eden Garden. Ganguly capped the controversy regarding IPL matches in Kolkata, saying, "There is no question of the matches being played anywhere else." Asked about the demands made by the members for tickets, he said, "The Cricket Association of Bengal will get Rs 10 crore. If the members don't agree, buy them tickets with that money."

Indian Premier League commissioner and Chairman Lalit Modi threatened CAB that the Kolkata team would be withdrawn and brought to Ahmedabad if CAB does not adhere to the rules and regulations of the glitzy event set to roll out in April this year. Spinner Mohammad Rafique, who will retire when Bangladesh's home series against South Africa ends in March, has evinced interest in playing for Kolkata, but has said he will wait before making a final decision.

Ganguly is apparently in talks with hard-hitting Australian batsman Adam Gilchrist on Shah Rukh's behalf to rope him in for the team.

Akhtar back for love, not money

Akhtar back for love, not money



DROPPED from the national team and branded unfit by the Pakistan Cricket Board, Shoaib Akhtar is focusing on just one thing - another crack at Australia. And he'll be doing it without a central contract, or even a retainer.

Akhtar, who is also under fire from the PCB for considering joining Australian Brett Lee as a Bollywood film star, is keen to put recent dramas behind him.

"I don't need a central contract to play for my country," the quick said in Lahore while training with the national squad.

The 32-year-old fast bowler refused on Friday to accept a special retainer from the PCB.

"I have no problems against the board for not giving me a contract," Akhtar said.

"I turned up for my country when I was ill [during the December Test series against India] and I will do so again whenever required. I'm fit, I'm strong and I'm ready to resume my career with Pakistan with or without a contract.

"Central contracts are not an issue because I play for my country and not for money."

Akhtar said India's recent spirited performance in Australia was encouraging for rival nations.

"The way the Indians have done well against them, I am sure that we can also do well against them," he said.

"I am gearing up for that challenge and want to achieve the best results against them."