Asia Cup 2023: "He Said One Bad Word And Received 20" - Kamran Akmal Recalls His Fight With Ishant Sharma

Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal recalled how once MS Dhoni stopped a fight, which could’ve turned serious, between him and Ishant Sharma. He revealed how the Indian pacer said some bad words to him and in return he said 20 words to him. 

The high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan has always been in the news. The arch-rivals have always engaged in some electrifying games and even players of both teams have left no stone unturned in giving each other aggressive send-offs, sharing verbal altercations, and many more things. 

One such incident took place between Ishant Sharma and Kamran Akmal during the T20I series in 2012. The two players were engaged in a heated spat and the tempers from both sides were up as both of them didn’t back away and were furious. 

Kamran Akmal while talking about the fight said that after that game at the airport when he was sitting with Virat Kohli and other players, the fight was discussed. While talking to Roha Nadeem for Cricwick, he explained: 

“Ishant abused me. He said one bad word, in return he received 20. I’m honest here. We had our flight to Ahmedabad next day, there was a T20I match. I, Virat (Kohli), Shoaib Malik, Hafeez were sitting. Somebody asked, what exactly happened between you two. Ishant said after bowling, I just said a bad word to him. Everybody said, you deserved it coming!”

Asia Cup 2023: But thankfully, Dhoni, the captain cool, then Raina also interfered – Kamran Akmal 

Kamran Akmal further while talking about the tiff with Ishant Sharma revealed that had MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina not interrupted in between the fight could’ve gotten worse and he could’ve even received a ban from ICC. He added: 

“It turned out to be serious. But thankfully, Dhoni, the captain cool, then Raina also interfered. They knew who was at fault, so they settled the situation, otherwise it would’ve been worse. I could’ve been banned for two matches, penalized for 5 match fees. It was pretty serious.” 

Notably, 2012-13 was the time India and Pakistan played in a bilateral series. After that, due to political tensions, they have been playing only in Asia Cups and World Cups. The two arch-rivals will be up against each other on 2nd September in Kandy during Asia Cup 2023.