It's a good thing the strong Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar left Trent Bridge in a hurry in a Land Rover shortly before the start of the second day's play.

Akhtar, a former Nottinghamshire Outlaws player and the bowler of the fastest recorded ball in the history of the game, was down at Trent Bridge for a small recording stint with Channel4. After sending down a few characteristic deliveries for the cameras to catch, Akhtar wandered around to the Indian nets and exchanged words with several players.

The speedster spent a few minutes talking about the experience just before he left the ground.

"India - Pakistan cricket should be on. It is THE series we all look forward to," he said, referring to a topic that occupies the interest of a majority of fans from the two countries.

The way he wandered across to Harbhajan Singh and embraced him left no doubt about the relations between the teams.

"There's no problem between the players of our teams. We get on very well. I met all the Indians today and it was good to catch up with them. There's a lot we have in common. We watch so many Hindi films in Pakistan -- probably more than you even," said Akhtar with a throaty laugh now laced with an English accent.

Having been rested from the Pakistan team that plays a one-day triangular tournament against South Africa and Sri Lanka in Morocco soon, Akhtar made it clear that it was not on account of injury. "I'm not injured at all at the moment. No niggles even. I'm completely fit. Any injuries are a thing of the past."

Like all keen competitors, Akhtar was raring to take on the best in the world.

"After the tournament in Morocco we play Australia in Kenya. I'm really looking forward to that. We've done well against them in the past and I want to beat them again. That will give me and the Pakistan team a lot of confidence," he explained.

Akhtar has been the centre of media attention since his debut, for a whole host of reasons, but recently hogged the limelight for his 100mph-plus delivery against New Zealand. Although there was controversy about the accuracy of the speed guns that recorded the feat, Akhtar insists it was an important moment.

"I always wanted to break the 100mph mark and knew I could do it. I'm glad that I managed it. It's good to have that behind me," said Akhtar of the achievement.

Speed apart, the paceman suggested that his career had advanced in leaps and bounds.

"I've grown into a match-winner in recent years. I've been taking more and more wickets and winning matches for Pakistan. That is the most important thing. If I keep doing that, I know the speed will come on its own," he explained.

For his counterparts across the border, who all suffer in comparison, Akhtar had nothing but encouraging words.

"Zaheer Khan looks sharp. He has good pace and importantly, the right attitude for a fast bowler. Nehra too moves the ball well and is promising. They both have the potential to become world-class bowlers," he said.

Sadly for the touring Indians though, there was hardly any evidence of this from the pair in question. Although Zaheer Khan redeemed himself by bowling well in patches, Nehra proved to be a complete disappointment in the second Test against England. Perhaps things might have been different if India had the services of the experienced Javagal Srinath. In this light Akhtar stressed on the contribution of Wasim Akram to Pakistan cricket.

"Wasim bhai is a living legend. I've always looked up to him from when I was a kid. From the day I started playing for Pakistan he's helped me and the other youngsters out tremendously," he concluded.

It might be too late for Srinath and too early to proclaim the arrival of Zaheer Khan and Nehra on the world stage, but the time is just ripe for Akhtar. At the top of his rhythm and ability he's a devastating match-winner. And yes, we all know what a crowd puller he is.

© CricInfo Ltd.