'Teach how to win matches' - Shoaib Akhtar's plan for Dhaka Capitals in maiden BPL stint

Shoaib Akhtar wants to pass on a few tricks to Bangladeshi fast bowlers in his first stint in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) as a mentor, with Dhaka Capitals. This will also be Akhtar's first stint as a member of the support staff in the T20 franchise circuit.

"I've never been part of the BPL before, but I've heard that it's doing great," Akhtar, who last played competitively in 2011, said in Dhaka on Monday. "Finally, I had the opportunity to come here and be a part of it. I want to pass on whatever I've learned, especially about fast bowling, motivate the players, give them a few tricks to win matches and elevate their mindset.

"My job will be to give confidence, teach how to win matches and, through Dhaka Capitals, reconnect with the Bangladeshis, one of the most beautiful nations in the world."

Akhtar had high praise for Bangladesh's new crop of fast bowlers, who have risen through the ranks and have performed as a unit in recent years. He also complimented the national team's bowling coach Shaun Tait, who, in his prime, was Akhtar's competition when it came to the speed gun.

"I want Taskin [Ahmed] to break my speed record," Akhtar said. "The pace battery that you're talking about, I think it's looking good. I really hope that they make it far in the [T20] World Cup [early next year in India and Sri Lanka].

"Shaun Tait is one of the best coaches you have when it comes to fast bowling. You don't need me after Shaun Tait. I'll be honest with you, I think you're going to keep on working with him. He is one of the fantastic guys, one of the most honest people that you can have."

Akhtar had a bit of advice for Nahid Rana, the fastest bowler in Bangladesh's history. "The advice for Nahid Rana is to keep your training level up when it comes to the muscle mass," Akhtar said. "Fast bowling is all about taking the stress on the body. And the body only can take stress if you have the muscles. And the muscle, the lean muscles, the high-repetition training. And keep the pace up and keep the attitude right up on the ninth sky.

"I have so far seen that in Taskin. And he is looking very good, he is looking sharp, he's looking focused. And so is Nahid Rana. I think if he keeps on going along with a great training session and when it comes to training properly... I'll give him an advice at the same time, if I ever see him. I'll tell him the trades and secrets of training. If he gets that, I think he will go far. But the most important is the attitude that you have towards life, and that reflects on the field."

Bangladesh will not play any more T20Is this year, and will head into the T20 World Cup with only the BPL games under the players' belt.

"I hope Bangladesh become a force in the coming World Cup," Akhtar said. "I want them to be one of the greatest forces to reckon with. This is one of the most exciting national teams, and I really hope they go far or somehow manage to climb up the ladder and win the World Cup."