IND vs PAK: "Badtameezi Missing Hai": Shoaib Akhtar On Modern Players
Published - 11 Sep 2023, 06:13 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:18 AM
Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has expressed his disappointment over modern players not being aggressive enough. Known for his aggressive and intimidating nature, Shoaib Akhtar has never shied away from calling out the modern players for their behavior.
His latest comments have come in the wake of Indian and Pakistan players showing unexpected camaraderie on the field. India superstar Virat Kohli was seen sharing hugs and laughs with several Pakistani players just before the group stage game between the two sides in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023.
Several fans as well as former cricketers expressed their disappointment over the players’ behaviour. Former India opener Gautam Gambhir was very critical of the players’ behavior and urged the cricketers to respect the fans’ emotions. And now Shoaib Akhtar has also expressed his disappointment over the players’ behavior.
“Badtameezi missing hai (The misbehavior is missing),” Shoaib Akhtar told Sorabh Pant in a video on the latter’s YouTube channel.
“Even I was bowling at 135kph, but the curses will only be given at 145kph. That is missing. Come on, hit someone here and there. What will happen? You’ll only get fined, right? What then? The batters keep hitting you, why? It’s stupid. Give a rugby tackle.
“I wouldn’t mind that boss. Just have a little bit of flair in cricket. Every sport in the world has fights. In a decent way. What do you think happens in Ice Hockey? What happens in football? Don’t they headbutt, punch? What kind of rule have you made, ‘Oh, we can’t cuss. We have to appeal whilst looking at the umpire.’ Are you playing gestures or cricket here?” he added.
Shoaib Akhtar shares story:
Speaking further, Shoaib Akhtar also shared a story to explain just how things were in the past. The Pakistan great revealed that he and ex-Australia opener Matthew Hayden nearly hit each other with a knife and fork.
“Me and Matthew Hayden, once picked a knife and a fork at breakfast against each other. Both willing to beat each other up. Thank god my trainer intervened, otherwise Hayden would’ve made a chutney out of me,” said Shoaib Akhtar.
