Akhtar and Ganguly
Shoaib Akhtar and Sourav Ganguly. Image: Shoaib Akhtar/Instagram

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar revealed an anecdote from the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008.  IPL 2008 is the only season that allowed Pakistan players to participate in the cash-rich league.

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A total of 11 Pakistan players were signed by eight IPL franchise teams in 2008. Akhtar was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for INR 1.7 crore in the inaugural season. Akhtar played just three matches for the franchise as he was serving a ban imposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Shoaib Akhtar rattled Delhi Daredevils in IPL 2008

Akhtar’s best IPL figure is 4/11 against Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) when he ran through their top-order to help KKR win by 23 runs. KKR posted just 133/6 in the first innings but Akhtar bowled a phenomenal spell where he got the wickets of Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, AB de Villiers and Manoj Tiwary as Delhi were bowled out for 110.

Shoaib Akhtar, Kolkata Knight Riders
Shoaib Akhtar (Image Credit: Twitter)

John Buchanan told Sourav Ganguly that he doesn’t think I am fit: Shoaib Akhtar

Akhtar recalled the incident when then KKR skipper Sourav Ganguly had backed him to play despite head coach John Buchanan’s concern over the Pakistan pacer’s fitness. Ganguly somehow convinced the Australian head coach to play Akhtar.

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Sourav Ganguly
Sourav Ganguly (Image Credit: Getty)

“I was serving a ban when I joined the KKR camp and hadn’t played matches. John Buchanan told Sourav Ganguly that he doesn’t think I am fit enough. To which Ganguly replied that he has always been unfit. Don’t worry about him. It will be okay even if he’s half unfit,” Akhtar told Sportskeeda. 

Akhtar claimed 444 wickets from 224 matches across all formats during the 14 years of his international career. He was an absolute delight to watch when he was pitted against the top-class batters of his era, the enthralling battles would leave everyone in awe with his bowling.

Akhtar, who is called the ‘Rawalpindi Express’ for his explorable speed, had clocked 161.3 kph against England during a 2003 World Cup fixture. It has been a decade since the Rawalpindi-born pacer took retirement from international cricket but his extraordinary record remains intact.

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