Imran Khan

Calcutta: Shoaib ‘Express’ Akhtar wants to do an Imran Khan.

No, he’s not interested in joining politics, but wants to build a hospital.

“I wish to do something for society… If I have a regret it’s that I haven’t really done anything… I wish to follow the example set by my idol, Imran,” Shoaib told The Telegraph recently.

Imran, an opposition Member of the National Assembly for the last five years, started the hi-tech Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital in the mid-Nineties.

The universally lauded Lahore facility was built by funds raised across the world, thanks to charity matches and concerts featuring some of the biggest names in cricket and show biz.

“Imran’s a role model in more ways than one… I can’t get into specifics, but I soon intend taking the first steps towards starting a general hospital close to Rawalpindi or Islamabad,” Shoaib, whose roots are in Rawalpindi, added.

Shoaib Akhtar

The 31-year-old speedster indicated that he could consider offers from Bollywood if acting in Hindi films would allow him to make a bigger personal contribution towards the proposed hospital.

Shoaib, it may be recalled, had been offered Shiney Ahuja’s role in Gangster.

“I was approached by Mahesh Bhatt, yes, but didn’t take up the offer. As for anything in the future, let’s see.”

Did he like the film? “Absolutely… Bahut acchi bani… I enjoyed it."

The controversial Shoaib was set for his Pakistan comeback in Glasgow (against India) earlier this month, but the elements ensured not a single ball was bowled.

Shoaib’s return to big-time cricket — he hasn’t played for six months — will now probably be in the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 meet in South Africa. That’s in mid-September.