Pakistan’s current tour of Australia is one of the major points of discussion in cricket circles. After a dull encounter in Rawalpindi, the recently concluded Karachi Test brought back the interest of fans in the series, which is taking place after 28 years.
Before the final one-on-one fight, Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar went down memory lane and shared an anecdotal duel with former Australia captain Ricky Ponting during the 1999 Test series Down Under.
Pakistan was already trailing 0-2 against Australia in the Test series. In the final match in Perth, Akhtar wanted to single-handedly win for his team as he was enjoying the buoyancy on offer.
Read also | IPL 2022: Five CSK players to watch – from ‘sir’ Ravindra Jadeja to Ruturaj Gaikwad
“During the Test match, I thought” [if nothing is happening] Let’s hurt someone. So I bowled the fastest spell. I wanted to see if Ricky could match my pace and I was deliberately throwing a bouncer [to] Let’s see if I can beat him but before that I had never beaten him at my fast pace,” Akhtar said in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald.
“If it weren’t for Ricky Ponting… I would have cut him off” [the batsman’s] Head off because it was too fast,” he said.
Akhtar, also known as the Rawalpindi Express, recalled the time when the Mark Taylor-led Australia last visited Pakistan in 1998. He said his aggressive approach with ball in hand was widely appreciated by the visitors.
,[They loved] My aggression because they think I am a Pakistani who has an Australian-like attitude,” says Akhtar. “I gave them. In the 2005 series, I and [Justin] Langer got beaten up. Me and [Matt] Hayden got into a fight. It is verbal, not physical. i wanted to showcase my talent [and show] that I am better than you.
Read also | ‘It’s going to be tough for Rohit’: Former Australian spinner highlights big challenges for IND captain
“They wanted gladiators out there. They’re too gentle nowadays. I don’t think the aggression is that much anymore. I don’t know why. I’m old school like Ian Chappell. I want unlimited bouncers. Bodyline bowling should be allowed. Why No? I want some character.
“I have been best friends with Brett Lee and I respect Ricky Ponting,” he said.
Get all the latest updates cricket news, cricket pictures, cricket videos, IPL Auction 2022 And cricket score Here