Last Update: February 25, 2023, 18:50 IST
Kamran Akmal recalls heated conversation with Ishant Sharma (Twitter/@KamiAkmal23)
Kamran was also asked about the 2009 episode between him and Gautam Gambhir.
In terms of intensity and temperament, there are certainly few cricket rivalries in the world that can match the India-Pakistan game. Fans have seen many heated moments over the years whenever these two neighbors have taken the field. Now, former Pakistan cricketer Kamral Akmal, while talking on YouTube channel Nadir Ali Podcast, recalled a similar scenario which took place in 2012 during a T20 International in Bengaluru.
According to Akmal, India Fast bowler Ishant Sharma used some abusive words against him, which led to this situation. The Pakistan wicket-keeper batsman reacted with the same magnitude before India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni stepped forward to settle the matter.
It was the first T20I of the two-match series and Pakistan dominated the proceedings. Batting first, India could only manage 133 runs. Though it looked to be an easy task for the visitors, the Indian bowlers made things very difficult for them. However, Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik showed great composure and took them close to victory.
When Ishant Sharma came to bowl the 18th over, Pakistan were 16 runs behind the target. He was successful in dismissing Hafeez on the very first ball. Karman came in as the new batsman after the captain’s dismissal. After facing his first ball of the match, the wicketkeeper-batsman was seen exchanging a few words with Ishant. Apart from Dhoni, Suresh Raina also tried to pacify him by coming in between.
Referring to the incident, Kamral said, ‘Ishant abused me. But he also digested a lot in response. MS Dhoni, who was then the captain, came into our midst along with Suresh Raina. He settled it. India was going to lose the match and it happened suddenly. He also praised Hafeez and Malik for their contribution in winning the match. Hafeez scored 61 from 44 balls, while Malik remained unbeaten on 57 from 50 balls, helping Pakistan win by 5 wickets.
During the podcast session, Kamran was also asked about the 2009 episode between him and Gautam Gambhir. Reminiscing about the incident, the former cricketer labeled it as a “misunderstanding”, saying, “If I am not mistaken, he said to himself, but I thought it was directed at me.” “It was an Asia Cup match in 2009. Saeed Ajmal bowled and I was appealed for a catch-back. It was given not out. Gambhir said something in a joking manner, but only because of the hype around India-Pakistan matches.
get the latest cricket news Here