When Shoaib Akhtar Hails Mohammed Shami for His Brilliance

The fastest delivery record holder from Pakistan, Shoaib Akhtar made his commentary debut in Hindi during World Cup 2014. During the innings break in the Indo-Pak clash that took place at Mirpur, Akhtar asked for feedback. Shoaib shared some light moments with Indian journalists. Despite belonging from Pakistan, he was surprisingly philanthropic in praise of Indian speedster, Mohammed Shami.

He moved to the dining area, and, with typical narcissism, asked to say some words about his commentary.

It was the first occasion when Shoaib Akhtar had just seen Mohammad Shami live.

“Bahut dino baad aap logon ko ek heera mila hain. Ise aapko sambhalna hoga (After a long time you have got a diamond. You will have to manage him),” Akhtar said.

Shoaib was so impressed with him that he called it meaningless to include him in a depleted squad of Asia Cup. He was gushed to know about his presence in the team which preceded the World T20.

Shami was in just his second year of his career, and he had already made an impression. He was phenomenal for his wrist position, sustained the pace, rhythm in action and most important movement of the ball.

Another Pakistani speedster, Wasim Akram also marked him out for unique things.

Shami was taking tips from Akram when he was mentoring Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

“Din bhar tez daal sakta hain yeh ladka (This lad can bowl fast all day long),” he remarked in a commentary panel. Wasim shared the remarks when Sachin Tendulkar was playing his last Test match at Wankhede.

Akram had missed out on watching Shami’s debut at the Eden in Kolkata, where the pacer had completed his figures of four for 71 and five for 47. He displayed out a clinical performance by his reverse swing. Akram said that he saw that match on his TV set.

Recently against South Africa, he managed to fulfil the expectations. He bowled with his heart out and claimed t2he figures of five for 28 in the second innings of the famous win at Johannesburg.

Mohammed Shami has played 30 Tests for India and has bagged 110 scalps with three five-fors.