IND vs PAK: Shoaib Akhtar Reveals What Stopped Him From Becoming Greatest Pacer In History
Published - 10 Sep 2023, 08:10 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:18 AM
Shoaib Akhtar feels that he could have become the greatest pacer in history. However, a knee injury during his career did not allow him to get more success in his career. Shoaib Akhtar also recalled a moment with former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum, when he threatened to kill him.
Shoaib Akhtar is often dubbed as one of the most dangerous pacers in international cricket. From 1997 to 2011, he threatened batters with his pace attack. Batting legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly have also agreed with the fact that Afridi was one of the toughest bowlers to face during his peak.
Also Read: IND vs PAK: Virat Kohli And Rohit Sharma Get A Lot Of Bashing From Media – Shoaib Akhtar
I Could’ve Become One The Greatest Fast Bowler In The History Of The Game: Shoaib Akhtar
While speaking on a YouTube channel show ‘Wake up with Sorabh’, the cricketer-turned-commentator Shoaib Akhtar said that he could’ve become the greatest fast bowler in the history of the game if his knees supported him. He also revealed that he had 12 operations on his knee.
“I could’ve become the greatest fast bowler in the history of the game, but my knees did not support me. My physical fitness was such that I was in agony. I had to go through 12 operations on my knee including a knee replacement last year, and I am still struggling.
But I always believed in running in hard and putting up a good show, just like a modern day gladiator. I always believed that people need to remember who I was,” the Rawalpindi Express said.
During the show, Shoaib Akhtar also revealed a verbal banter with former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum. The Kiwi stalwart walked down the pitch while facing him. To this, Akhar told him that he could kill him with a beamer if he did that.
“Once McCullum walked down the pitch against me. I went to him and asked him ‘Hey, you got a good eyesight?’ He said ‘Yes I have, why?’ I said, ‘ Do I look like a Shoaib Malik to you?’ (laughs).
‘You can’t walk down to me. I’ll throw a beamer at you; I’ll kill you. If not here then definitely at the hotel. I’ll definitely kill you.’ (laughs),” Akhtar further addded said.
In the same show, Akhar also said that he feels sad for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as the media gives them a lot of bashing. He feels that this puts a lot of pressure on current players.
Meanwhile, India vs Pakistan Super Four clash of Asia Cup 2023 has been affected by rains. The match reached 24.1 over when India reached 147-2 on the scoreboard.
