Former Pakistani sprinter Shoaib Akhtar has shared an anecdote in which he revealed that he, along with Shahid Afridi, was planning to fire legendary India hitter Rahul Dravid early because they wanted to enjoy Friday night.
Shoaib Akhtar said that Sachin Tendulkar was not playing in the match and that India had lost fast ground in the match. It was then that Shahid Afridi asked him to launch a special installment and fire the Indian ‘Wall’. Akhtar ‘almost’ got Dravid’s wicket when one of his pitches hit the former Karnataka batter’s pads. Akhtar appealed to the referee and even told him about his plans on Friday night, but was unsuccessful in the attempt.
“If a batter used to play, like Rahul Dravid, we would throw long balls at him. From near the stump, we would aim at the space between the bat and the pad, we would try to hit the ball on the pad. There was a final fight in Bangalore, I had fired Sadagoppan Ramesh early, we took 3-4 wickets early, Sachin Tendulkar was not playing.
“Shahid Afridi and I said that Rahul Dravid will take a long time and today is Friday night. Afridi said he throws something and takes his wicket, otherwise, he will play for a long time. I hit him directly on the platform and urged the referee to let him put his fingers up. I even said it was our Friday night. He didn’t give the decision in our favor, but in the end, we had won. Dravid was a tough and determined hitter. It was tough for me and him. He would play me easily Shoaib Akhtar said while speaking with former India starter Aakash Chopra.
In the 1999 Pepsi Cup final in Bangalore, India, led by Ajay Jadeja, he had lost to Pakistan by 123 runs. Shoaib Akhtar had claimed two wickets in the match.
Shoaib Akhtar also spoke about current generation fast bowlers saying Pat Cummins was an asset to Australia. Akhtar expressed concern about the future of the English pacemaker Jofra Archer. The Rawalpindi-born said that Archer’s pace was already slowing down and he couldn’t last long.
When asked about the Indian pacemaker Jasprit Bumrah, Akhtar said that he had predicted about Bumrah’s back injury beforehand. He added that Bumrah has a difficult action and playing in all formats will be difficult for him.
“There is a peak time for bowlers when they are 2-3 years old when they can 100-150 wickets, then the bowler is bound to face a breakdown. A joint will stop working the same way after 200- 400 overs I have to rest to regain the same energy Jofra Archer’s pace is not going to exceed 140 kmph, Pat Cummins is an advantage, but Jofra Archer, I don’t think it will last.
“Jasprit Bumrah has a tough action, he can’t play in all formats. It is his bravery that came and showed skill in test cricket. He is a very hard-working and focused cricketer. But what about his back? His back it was bound to break. People used to say it has a little run, but I said it will break. There is always pressure on the back when that rhythm is generated, “Shoaib Akhtar said.
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