Shoaib Akhtar Knew He Was Chucking, Why Would ICC Ban Him Otherwise- Virender Sehwag

Updated - 17 May 2022, 07:24 PM

Shoaib Akhtar-Virender Sehwag. PHoto- Getty images
Shoaib Akhtar-Virender Sehwag. PHoto- Getty images

Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag made a huge comment on the bowling action of former Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akhtar and said that the bowler knew that he was chucking during his delivery action, otherwise, why would the ICC ban him.

Sehwag and Akhtar had quite a few tiffs on the field especially when India toured Pakistan in 2004 in a historic series where India won the Tests 2-1 and ODIs 3-2. Sehwag became the first Indian batter to hit a triple ton during the Rawalpindi Test match as he carted Shoaib Akhtar and co to all parts of the ground.

Akhtar also tormented Indian bowlers many times and is better known for removing Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid in back-to-back deliveries during the 1999 Kolkata Test match which included Sachin getting out for his first golden duck in Test cricket.

Shoaib Akhtar-Virender Sehwag. PHoto- Getty
Shoaib Akhtar-Virender Sehwag. Photo- Getty

With Shoaib, I Could Not Trust What He Would Do If I Hit Him Twice To The Fence: Virender Sehwag

The 2000s saw the battle of pace between Shoaib Akhtar and Australia’s Brett Lee, both of which were little trouble for Virender Sehwag, who hit them both with equal disdain. During an interview with Sports18, Sehwag gave his thoughts on Shoaib Akhtar’s bowling action and why he had troubles with the Pakistani pacer, but not the Australian speed demon.

Shoaib Akhtar
Shoaib Akhtar (Image Credit: Twitter)

“Shoaib knows he used to jerk his elbow; he knew he was chucking too. Why would ICC ban him otherwise? Brett Lee’s hand came down straight, so it was easy to pick the ball. But with Shoaib, you could never guess where the hand and the ball will come from,” Sehwag said.

Virender Sehwag and Brett Lee. Photo-Getty
Virender Sehwag and Brett Lee. Photo-Getty

“I never feared facing Brett Lee, but with Shoaib, I could not trust what he would do if I hit him twice to the fence. Maybe a beamer or a toe-crushing yorker,” he added.

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Shoaib Akhtar Virender Sehwag