VVS Laxman Recalls His Epic Battles Against Shoaib Akhtar

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar was one of the best and the fastest bowler of the era during his playing days. The 43-year-old had a start-stop career due to several career-threatening injuries; however, he managed to terrorise the batsmen at large. While Shoaib Akhtar always brought up the fighting spirit, he used to go a level up against India.

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Thus, the Rawalpindi Express shared some intense and mouth-watering clashes against the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, MS Dhoni, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, and Gautam Gambhir. While Shoaib Akhtar held immense respect for all these greats, he was always up to the task on the field.

In 226 international games, the 43-year-old picked up 444 wickets. And Pakistan used to have the luxury of playing Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis as well at times. His pace bowling is undoubtedly a flag-bearer and through the likes of Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, Pakistan would hope to relive the glory days again.

It has to be someone like Shoaib Akhtar: VVS Laxman

Meanwhile, India’s former Test batsman VVS Laxman spoke about his epic battles against the former Pakistan paceman. Laxman stated that alongside Australia’s Brett Lee, he was the quickest bowler in those days. And Akhtar was forever up to the challenge and in for a fight. Shoaib claimed the 45-year-old’s wicket twice in Tests and once in ODIs.

“It has to be someone like Shoaib Akhtar. Because he was probably the quickest bowler in world cricket at that time along with Brett Lee. Playing against him was always going to be challenging and he always was up to the fight.” the 134-Test veteran VVS Laxman stated as quoted by Times Now.

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