Promo event of Akhtar's book in Bangalore called off

The launch of the book was be hosted by Landmark and HarperCollins Publishers India in the evening but has now been called off, a communication from the organisers said today without assigning any reason.

Sources said that the event has been cancelled because of unforeseen circumstances.
Two of Akhtar's promotional events in Mumbai had been cancelled though no official reason were given.

Former India skipper Dilip Vengsarkar was to release Akhtar's autobiography "Controversially Yours" at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) premises on Sunday.

According to speculation, the cancellation of the event could be due to less-than-flattering remarks in his autobiography about iconic batsman Sachin Tendulkar and another senior player Rahul Dravid.

In his tell-all autobiography, Akhtar has made many controversial claims. Akhtar has written that Sachin lacked the ability to finish matches in the initial stages of his career.

He drew flak for his comments from several quarters, including former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram, under whom he made his debut and senior BCCI functionary Rajiv Shukla who wanted an apology from the speester.