Brett Lee Recalls Fiery Spell From Shoaib Akhtar, Says He Thought He Had Been Shot
Updated - 01 Feb 2022, 03:06 PM
Former Australian speedster Brett Lee recalled a spell from the Rawalpindi Express, Shoaib Akhtar, where he felt he had been ‘taken out by a sniper’.
Lee was facing Akhtar in a Test match in Colombo when the incident occurred. Akhtar was taken off the attack but he was brought back on by the Pakistan skipper for one final burst.
“Well, you know, I could tell you that Test we were talking about in Colombo and it was so hot, the conditions. Shoaib was bowling around about 148 kmph most of the day and he was steaming in. His speed dropped off to about 145 and then they asked him to come on for one more big spell. One more big push from the captain was asked from Shoaib Akhtar,” Lee revealed in a podcast recently.
“Thought I had been taken out by a sniper” – Brett Lee
At one moment, Adam Gilchrist was batting and Akhtar’s pace deliveries proved to be rough for the Aussie wicket-keeper as well. He was bowled by a quick delivery following which, Lee had to take strike.
“He knocked over Gilly with a ball that seemed like it left the hand and blew his stumps away before Gilly could even get the bat down. It seemed like it was about 180 clicks an hour. Then I came out facing the hat-trick ball and this ball is swinging around corners, reversing massively.”
Both Lee and Akhtar are known for being feisty bowlers who can clock 145+ kmph on a consistent basis. They will go down in history as two of the fastest bowlers ever.
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Shoaib Akhtar
