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Tag: Shoaib Akhtar

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Watch: Fun, banter and a sprint race between Shoaib Akhtar & Harbhajan Singh | Cricket News – Times of India

The on-field rivalry between Shoaib Akhtar and Harbhajan Singh during their playing days is well documented in a number of India vs Pakistan matches over the years. But the Indo-Pak duo's off-the-field camaradarie as co-commentators nowadays is equally engrossing for viewers across the globe. Some of those scenes are seen on the latest vlog posted by Shoaib Akhtar on his YouTube channel, which captures moments from the ex-Pakistan pacer's commentary stint at ILT20, alongside Harbhajan, former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram and a few others. Did Shoaib Actually Beat Harbhajan??? | Shoaib AkhtarOne of those moments shows Akhtar and Harbhajan trying to beat each other in a sprint race, while some of the other clips show them, along with Akram, involved in a friendly banter in Punjabi. Beside...
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‘Joote pe marega, beamer marega…’: When Shoaib Akhtar’s ‘lamba run up’ used to distract Virender Sehwag | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Clocking deliveries over 150 kph-plus used to be child's play for Pakistan speed merchant Shoaib Akhtar. And to go with that, the deadly toe-crushers and balls whistling past the ears and noses, made Akhtar a nightmare for the opposition batters.But for former India opener Virender Sehwag, playing Shoaib was like just another pacer as he used to deal with him severely, exploiting his pace when both were up against one another.However, the Pakistan pacer did manage to get the better of Sehwag on a few occasions.In a recent interaction between the two superstars from the neighbouring countries, Sehwag said that Akhtar's long run-up used to distract him during their duel and made him impatient while batting. 'Abhi lagenge 10-15 seconds aane me', Sehwag said on Akhtar's run-up."D...
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‘Abhi lagenge 10-15 seconds aane mey’: Virender Sehwag teases Shoaib Akhtar for his long bowling run-up

Virender Sehwag and Shoaib Akhtar were involve in a banter on the sidelines of the ILT20 in Dubai, where both the former cricketers are doing commentary. Shoaib Akhtar has posted a video on X, where former India opener Virender Sehwag can be seen teasing the former Pakistan pacer about his long run-up. “Hamaray pyaray Viru bhai @virendersehwag yeh batatay huay k mera lamba run up ko kitna intezar kerwata tha. And he feels it was a big distraction,” Akhtar posted on ‘X’. Hamaray pyaray Viru bhai @virendersehwag yeh batatay huay k mera lamba run up ko kitna intezar kerwata tha.And he feels it was a big distraction. @ilt20official @ilt20onzee #dpworldilt20 #allinforcricket pic.twitter.com/xwzJFFpZdp — Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) January 21, 2024 In the video, Sehwag said: “Mai gardan ...
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‘Sachin would have made a lot of runs,’ in this era and ‘He (Virat Kohli) could have faced difficulties,’ in Tendulkar’s era predicts Shoaib Akhtar

Virat Kohli will go among one of the greatest batters in the game’s history. Hence, not only is he constantly compared to his contemporaries with the likes of Steve Smith, Kane Williamson and Joe Root, but he is also compared with former legendary players like Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting. Recently, former Pakistan player Shoaib Akhtar tried to compare the challenges Sachin and Ponting used to face in ODI cricket, which the modern player hardly faces. “Back then, Sachin was playing with one ball, which would reverse swing against some of the best bowlers in the world. There was only one circle. Today, Sachin would have made a lot of runs,” the fast bowler was quoted saying when speaking to ANI. “Virat would have been competitive (in our era),” he added. “He could have faced diffic...
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Virat Kohli Would Have Faced Difficulties in Our Era But… – Shoaib Akhtar | Cricket News – Times of India

Pakistan's former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar praised Virat Kohli on Saturday for getting to the mark of 50 ODI centuries and commended the Indian run machine as the premier batter of the modern era while wishing that he goes on to reach the milestone of a century of centuries.Currently in the UAE for the second season of the International League T20, where he is the brand ambassador and commentator, Akhtar, while speaking to ANI, said that if Virat had played during his playing days, he might have faced challenges, but would have still managed to accumulate the impressive runs he has done in the modern era."Back then, Sachin (Tendulkar) was playing with one ball (same ball used from both ends), which would reverse-swing against some of the best batters in the world. There was only one ci...
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‘Tum sabke liye mai akela hi kafi hoon’: Virender Sehwag’s epic banter with Shoaib Akhtar, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former India batter Virender Sehwag has had numerous face offs against the legendary Pakistan pace trio of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar on the field. However, this time around, these cricketing legends will reunite not on the field but in the commentary box for the upcoming season of ILT20.The star-studded commentary panel was unveiled via a video on social media recently which also features former India spinner Harbhajan Singh.Sehwag and Akhtar were seen having engaged in a fun banter.It was Akhtar who initiated the conversation by hilariously calling Sehwag a "gentle off-spinner".Akhter went on to continue: "Don't be afraid, Veeru. The last time the three of us (Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar) were playing, you were cleaning your spectacles on th...
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Shoaib Akhtar says Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli still have plenty of cricket left in them, backs duo to play in T20 World Cup too

After experiencing disappointment in the final of the recently-concluded Cricket World Cup, the attention has now shifted to the upcoming showpiece event, which is the T20 World Cup in 2024 in West Indies and the USA. Though Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have had a productive 50-over World Cup, there has been speculation about their involvement in the shorter format in the upcoming days. However, former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar feels both the veterans still have plenty to offer for the Indian side even in the T20 format. “If you ask, do Rohit and Kohli have cricket left in them? Yes, definitely. Do you get a better opener than Rohit in the world right now? No, you don’t,” he told Zee News. Both Rohit and Kohli have not played a single T20I for India since the loss in Adelaide aga...
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‘Thoroughly deserves to be in the final…’: Shoaib Akhtar lauds Team India | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan pace sensation Shoaib Akhtar has heaped praise on the Indian cricket team, asserting that their comprehensive 70-run victory over New Zealand in the semi-final at Wankhede Stadium has earned them a deserving place in the final.India's opening duo, led by captain Rohit Sharma and young talent Shubman Gill, set a fiery tone against the Kiwi bowlers. Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer's centuries further solidified India's grip on the game, culminating in a formidable total of 397/3.Expressing his admiration for the Indian team, Shoaib Akhtar stated on his YouTube channel, "India thoroughly deserves to be in the final, if you look at their batting, bowling, fielding and even their bench strength, if this team doesn't deserve to reach the final then which team does?"Akh...
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‘India vs Pakistan semifinal, anyone?’ – Michael Vaughan’s question gets a reply from Shoaib Akhtar | Cricket News – Times of India

While South Africa's big win over New Zealand has almost sealed the top-two positions in the points table, the third consecutive defeat for the Kiwis has opened up the third and fourth position, which might turn into a four-way fight for two spots. However, former England captain Michael Vaughan had a tongue-in-cheek crack at the scenarios, throwing an India vs Pakistan semi-final into the equation.South Africa now lead the table with 12 points from seven matches and are ahead of unbeaten India, who also have 12 points, on net run rate but having played a match more than the hosts. Australia occupy the third spot with eight points from six matches and New Zealand have slipped to No. 4 with eight points from seven matches.Pakistan's seven-wicket win over Bangladesh have kept them in the ...
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ICC World Cup: Shoaib Akhtar says ‘mai India ki tareef kyu na karu’ | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is singing praises about India's "ruthless" run in the 2023 ICC World Cup, which has seen Rohit Sharma & Co winning all their six matches so far.Sitting on top of the points table as the only unbeaten team in the tournament, India have excelled in all departments of the game consistently, barring the average batting show in their last match against England in Lucknow.Batting first for the first time in the tournament, India put up just 229/9 on the board. It made England the favourites, but only until Mohammed Shami (4/22) and Jasprit Bumrah (3/32) came out breathing fire to destroy the English team's run-chase. India went on to win the match by 100 runs, which turned defending champions England's poor show in the tournament poore...
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‘Shahid Afridi told me to convert…’: Danish Kaneria accuses former Pakistan skipper – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan spinner, Danish Kaneria, has made startling revelations about his cricketing career, accusing former captain Shahid Afridi of persistently pressuring him to convert to Islam. Kaneria, who is the highest wicket-taking spinner in Pakistan's cricket history, opened up about the discrimination he faced during his playing days.Kaneria shed light on the challenges he encountered, with Inzamam-ul-Haq being the only captain who supported him.He revealed that most other players caused him significant trouble, and some, including Shahid Afridi, consistently discussed the idea of religious conversion."I was doing well in my career and was playing county cricket too. Inzamam-ul-Haq supported me a lot and was the only captain who did so. Alongside him, Shoaib Akhtar. Shahi...
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‘Aag thandi ho chuki hai’: Former spinner urges Shoaib Akhtar to reignite Pakistan’s fire | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Pakistan cricket team received severe backlash from former players for their abject surrender against India in the World Cup match in Ahmedabad on Saturday.Former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar raised concerns about the team's lack of intensity and determination, which prevented them from quelling the raucous crowd at the Narendra Modi Stadium.Watch: Virat Kohli gifts Pakistan captain Babar Azam a signed jersey"Sawa lakh banda akele chup kerwanay k liye fire chahiye hota hai. Yeh sirf tab ho sakta hai jab aap k andar wo aag ho," Akhtar posted on his X handle.Responding to his post, former Pakistan leg spinner Danish Kaneria urged Akhtar to reignite the team's passion and spirit which has completely vanished."Aag thandi ho chuki hai. Wapas jalao Shoaib bhai :)," Kaner...
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‘Aapne umeed nahi haarni…’: Disappointed Shoaib Akhtar backs Pakistan to come back stronger | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: As India blew away Pakistan in a lopsided affair at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in front of a packed house on Saturday, former pacer Shoaib Akhtar was quite disappointed with Babar Azam and co.'s performance. India cruised past their arch-rivals, winning the high-octane contest by 7 wickets to make it 8-0 at the ODI World Cups. However, despite the humiliating loss, Akhtar backed the team and asked the Babar-led side not to get demoralised by the defeat as there is still a long way to go in the tournament."It was a disappointing performance from Pakistan. Our captain scored fifty and Rohit Sharma played an incredible knock (hamare kaptaan ne 50 kiya, unke kaptaan ne jigra dikhaya aur demoralize kiya) and demoralised Pakistan. Rohit has shown what class and c...
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‘Sab kuch bilkul thanda rakha…’: Sachin Tendulkar’s hilarious response to Shoaib Akhtar after India rout Pakistan | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: As India fired on all cylinders to register and emphatic seven-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan in front of a packed house at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, legendary Sachin Tendulkar took a cheeky dig at former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar, teasing him on their eight straight defeat against the Men in Blue in the marquee tournament.Skipper Rohit Sharma emerged as the undisputed star as India took their ODI World Cup score line to 8-0 against the neighbours. On the eve of the match, Shoaib in a social media post had asked Pakistan to keep their cool in the high-octane clash against India. Along with the tweet Shoaib had also shared his photo, dismissing Sachin in a Test match during his first tour of India as a player."Kal agar asa kuch kerna hai, toh #ThandRakh,...
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World Cup, India vs Pakistan: India favourites against Pakistan amidst rain threat | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: India are vast favorites against Pakistan in the World Cup match on Saturday in Ahmedabad thanks to Rohit Sharma's composure, Virat Kohli's ferocity, and Jasprit Bumrah's cerebral talent. The contest has a captivating socio-political setting, and the ramifications go beyond the 22-yard line.It will all rely on how well left-arm bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi's first spell goes because India is a vastly superior team on paper and has a batting line-up full of alpha-male characters. The cross-border neighbors might not be short on intent, but they are definitely short on firepower.India vs Pakistan World Cup 2023: Will Shubman Gill be fit to play match vs Pakistan?But in this game, emotional factors come into play, and over the years, it has produced both heroes and monsters in equ...
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‘Rizwan gets cramps very often’: Shoaib Akhtar takes a dig at Pakistan batter saying KL Rahul also kept wickets in Chennai | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Legendary speedster Shoaib Akhtar took a dig while praising Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan for his match-winning knock against Sri Lanka on Tuesday under testing circumstances, saying that the wicketkeeper-batter gets cramps way too often.Rizwan exhibited exceptional resilience as he battled through pain to deliver the goods for the Babar Azam-led Pakistan side. Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique slammed centuries in Pakistan's record highest successful World Cup run chase over the 1996 world champions in Hyderabad."Sometimes it's cramp, sometimes it's acting," Rizwan told the official World Cup broadcaster after the match.Akhtar also pointed out, while analysing the match on his YouTube channel, that Indian wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul displayed a similar level of determination and sk...
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‘We’ve found a Babar Azam-like batter’: Shoaib Akhtar and Misbah-ul-Haq sing praises of Abdullah Shafique after Pakistan’s record chase

The highest run chase in ODI World Cup history. It’s what Pakistan achieved in their second game of the 2023 World Cup in Hyderabad on Tuesday. A chase orchestrated by player of the match Mohammad Rizwan and tournament debutant Abdullah Shafique. Chasing 345, Pakistan went two wickets down at the score of 37 with both Imam-ul-Haq and skipper Babar Azam back in the hut. It is then that Shafique stitched together a 176 run stand for the third wicket with Rizwan, scoring 113 off 103 deliveries. An innings that has earned him big ups back home. Post-match, former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar would go as far as calling Shafique similar to his national team skipper. “Babar Azam could not do well but Babaz Azam jaisa hume ek aur player mil chuka hai (we’ve found a player just like Babar Azam)...
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Asia Cup 2023: Massive defeat against India has given Pakistan a psychological dent, says Ramiz Raza

Former Pakistan cricketers Ramiz Raza, Shoaib Akhtar, Rashid Latif and Kamran Akmal have questioned Pakistan’s team selection and Babar Azam’s captaincy after their two-wicket loss against Sri Lanka in the ongoing Asia Cup. Former skipper and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ramiz Raja said the Pakistan team looked scared as they are still not able to get over the hammering given by India. “The massive defeat against India has given a psychological dent to Pakistan. They seemed to carry that loss in this match as well. They looked timid and scared and failed to close out the game. Babar Azam and top order looked over-cautious. They lacked authority,” Ramiz said on his YouTube channel. Raza also questioned the selection of out of out-of-form Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam’s captaincy. “F...
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Shoaib Akhtar rues no India-Pak final in Asia Cup 2023: Poori duniya dekhna chahti thi | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar rued that there would be no India vs Pakistan in the final of the 2023 Asia Cup as the Men in Green got knocked out of the competition after a two-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka in a decisive Super Four clash on Thursday. The thrilling contest took place in Colombo, with Sri Lanka chasing a DLS-adjusted target of 252 in a 42-overs-a-side battle.In the final over, Sri Lanka required eight runs, a seemingly insurmountable task. However, Charith Asalanka held his nerve and delivered the winning blow on the very last ball, concluding the intense encounter at 1:07 am local time.Despite the jubilant home crowd's celebrations, the outcome left millions of fans disappointed as they had anticipated an India-Pakistan final, setting the stage for th...
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Furious Shoaib Akhtar hits out at ‘India fixed the game’ claims | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: After memes surfaced on the social media largely from Pakistani fans depicting that India deliberately batted badly against Sri Lanka so that Pakistan could get knocked out of the Asia Cup, Shoaib Akhtar lashed out at the rumour-mongers terming their claims as 'nonsense'.Speaking on his official YouTube channel, former Pakistan pacer Akhtar voiced his displeasure, saying that Sri Lankans produced a remarkable bowling effort.India Fixed it's Spot into the Finals | Indo-Pak First #AsiaCup Final Launching | Shoaib Akhtar"I'm receiving messages that India have fixed the game, they're playing badly so that Pakistan get knocked out. Are you guys out of your minds? They're bowling their hearts out. Wellalage has bowled really well. He also scored 43. Suddenly, I'm receiving phone ca...