Shoaib Akhtar was nicknamed as Rawalpindi Specific.© AFP
Often known as the Rawalpindi Specific, Shoaib Akhtar is taken into account to be one of many quickest bowlers in cricket historical past. The previous Pakistan pacer was recognized for his aggressive character throughout matches alongside along with his pace. The 46-year-old just lately spoke with Brett Lee in a podcast and the previous Australian speedster revealed an fascinating anecdote a few “large spell” by Akhtar in opposition to his nation. The Aussie additionally acknowledged that one supply by Akhtar made him really feel as if he “had been taken out by a sniper.”
The incident occurred throughout a Take a look at match between Pakistan and Australia in Colombo.
“Nicely, you realize, I might inform you that Take a look at we had been speaking about in Colombo and it was so sizzling, the situations. Shoaib was bowling round about 148 kmph a lot of the day and he was steaming in. His pace dropped off to about 145 after which they requested him to come back on for yet one more large spell. Another large push from the captain, was requested from Shoaib Akhtar”, stated Lee.
“He knocked over Gilly with a ball that appeared prefer it left the hand and blew his stumps away earlier than Gilly might even get the bat down. It appeared prefer it was about 180 clicks an hour. Then I got here out going through the hat-trick ball and this ball is swinging round corners, reversing massively. I acquired hit on the face on the primary ball. Shoaib steams in, he’s operating in, the black hair’s flowing in every single place. Let’s go. This ball hits me on the hip.”
He additional added, “On the autumn, I assumed I had been taken out by a sniper. I assumed I had been shot. He runs down like sorry sorry sorry”.
Akhtar additionally spoke in regards to the spell and acknowledged that Steve Waugh was “only a wall”.
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“I believe I bowled my coronary heart out and I acquired in fights with many different Australian gamers in the course of the recreation. You should perceive one factor that you realize I’m up in opposition to one of many hardest batsmen on the planet earth. I imply Steve Waugh is only a wall. He’s only a character; he is not going to present it up. I imply no, I want in the future that Brett Lee bowled in opposition to his personal teammate then he would perceive what we needed to undergo”, he stated.
Brett Lee himself was recognized for being a particularly fast bowler. He and Akhtar always competed with one another for the tag of the quickest paceman within the first decade of the 2000s.
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