But the spring in Akhtar’s steps here after dragging himself post-hospitalisation in Kolkata means Pakistan moralometer has a high reading. Akhtar makes his point about his preparedness as he says, “I know it is a do or die game for me and for Pakistan. Being fit makes one confident and I am sure we have a chance to repeat our 2005 performance in Bangalore.”

Though Akhtar wasn’t around when Inzamam-ul Haq led his team’s series levelling effort at Chinnamswamy Stadium two years back, but he is aware of the importance of that famous win.

There are enough reasons to believe that this isn’t the usual Akhtar machismo. It is the excitement of a pacer, who is returning to Tests after almost a year, finally finding a surface where he can showcase speed.

After a satisfactory outing in Delhi, Akhtar on the opening days of the Kolkata Test seemed almost like a former tearaway. The drained out sight of a half-fit pacer with his weary eyes and flushed out face struggling to complete his run up drew empathy from the locals and embarrassment among the visitors. But despite the high humidity and temperature at Eden Gardens Akhtar bowled 36 overs — five more than India’s pace spearhead Zaheer Khan. To add to that the pitch in Kolkata was the sort that might force a pacer to approach the human rights activists.

Things in Bangalore promise to be different. Even if the slight greenish tinge disappears overnight the conditions might support the movement in the air and ball to seam around. The cool conditions will also see Akhtar managing longer spells. And that could be a problem for the Indian batsmen.

... contd.