Tag: shoaib akhtar

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has taken a subtle dig at Mohammad Hafeez for his recent remarks questioning the legacy of Pakistan’s cricketers from the 1990s.

While speaking in a cricket show, Akhtar didn’t hold back, calling out what he believed was an unnecessary and disrespectful take aimed at some of Pakistan’s greatest-ever cricketers.

Referring to a now-viral clip, the Rawalpindi Express responded to Hafeez’s alleged comment that the stars of the 90s “didn’t leave behind any legacy.”

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Shoaib Akhtar, with his trademark sarcasm, questioned: “He [Hafeez] said, ‘Sir, you didn’t leave a legacy.’ He’s saying that to Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis? Then who did leave a legacy? You?”

Akhtar’s retort came amid growing backlash against Mohammad Hafeez, who had remarked that while 90s cricketers were superstars individually, they failed to inspire the nation through collective success, particularly in ICC tournaments.

“I’m a big admirer of the 90s greats,” he said. “But when we speak of legacy, it’s about results — they didn’t win an ICC trophy.”

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He further clarified that his intention was never to belittle individual legends but to highlight the lack of team achievements during that era.

“Some media houses are fabricating the actual content. The context of the discussion was all about teams winning ICC events to inspire future generations,” Hafeez later posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The former all-rounder further explained that his statement was not a personal attack on any individual player but rather an analysis of Pakistan’s inability to secure ICC titles during that period.

“Therefore, I explained how the greats of the game from Pakistan, despite all their cricketing talent, couldn’t win ICC events (post-’92 WC) in 1996, 1999, and 2003. It was never personal criticism of any individual player,” he added.

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Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar took a jab at Indian batter Virender Sehwag for consistently bringing up his triple-century against Pakistan in 2004.

The feud began when Sehwag shared a video clip of a commercial on Instagram and referenced his triple century in the post caption.

In the Instagram post, the former India opener wrote: “Ek triple centurion ke handle se @fwd ka ad post ho raha hai.”

 

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A post shared by Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag)

 Responding to the post, Akhtar jokingly offered to help Sehwag get an entry in the Guinness World Records for saying “300” the most times in the world.

Sehwag’s iconic 309-run knock against Pakistan in the first Test of the 2004 series in Multan has been a topic of discussion for years. However, Akhtar’s comments suggest that he is tired of hearing Sehwag brag about the achievement.

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Shoaib Akhtar expressed his frustration with hearing discussions about this century for years, noting that he is fasting and controlling his speech.

 

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A post shared by Shoaib Akhtar (@imshoaibakhtar)

 “I saw a video of Viru Paaji. Man, I am fed up of hearing him talk. It is the same tape he has been playing for the last 20 years – ‘300, 300, 300’, said Akhtar in an Instagram video.

“Come on, brother, I was there too when you scored that 300. You played really well, no doubt. But it is the month of fasting, and one has to control their tongue – so please, stop now, ” he stated.

The pacer stated that if Sehwag wishes to register his name with Guinness World Records, he can do so.

“If you want an entry in the Guinness World Records, I can get that done. The person who says 300 the most in the world – Virender Sehwag!”, he concluded.

READ: Shakib Al Hasan breaks silence on ODI omission after bowling action ban

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar didn’t hold back in his criticism of Babar Azam, calling him a “fraud” following the national team’s defeat to India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash on Sunday.

Babar and Virat are frequently compared within the cricket community due to their similar batting techniques, however, Akhtar slammed the comparisons between the two players.

Speaking on a TV show, Akhtar questioned Babar’s choice of role models, contrasting it with Kohli’s admiration for the great Sachin Tendulkar.

“We often hear comparisons between Babar Azam and Virat Kohli. But let me ask you, who is Virat Kohli’s hero? It’s Sachin Tendulkar, a man with 100 international centuries, and Kohli is chasing that legacy,” Akhtar stated.

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Shoaib Akhtar then took a dig at Babar Azam, implying that the star batter’s mindset and influences were flawed, labeling him as a fraud.

“Who is Babar Azam’s role model? Let’s not name any cricketer but you’ve chosen the wrong role models. Your thought process is wrong. You were a fraud from the beginning,” he added.

Babar, under immense scrutiny already, had a forgettable outing in the high-stakes encounter against India. He managed only 23 runs off 26 balls, despite striking five boundaries, before falling cheaply.

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Pakistan set a below-par target of 241, which India chased down comfortably in 42.3 overs, winning by six wickets.

Meanwhile, Shoaib Akhtar also showered praise on Kohli, who once again rose to the occasion against Pakistan with a match-winning century.

“When Virat Kohli plays against Pakistan, you just know he’s going to get a hundred. He’s a modern-day legend, a white-ball run machine! There’s no debate about his greatness. I’m genuinely happy for him—he deserves all the accolades he gets,” he concluded.

READ: Salman Butt slams Pakistan cricket team after defeat to India

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has slammed the national cricket team following their crushing defeat against India in the fifth match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

While speaking on a cricket show, the Rawalpindi Express expressed disappointment with the poor show of green shirts in all departments against arch-rivals.

“We always speak about intent but I think they also lack skills. If they had skills, they wouldn’t have played like way.”

He also talked about the team management and captaincy during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, labeling them “clueless” and “brainless”.

“Clueless management, to be honest, brainless captaincy… absolutely average team who displayed the skills there… nothing to talk about it,” Akhtar said.

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Shoaib Akhtar lamented the team’s ‘successive’ failures in the past few years.

“It is not unusual (from Pakistan team). Nothing to talk about it… they don’t know what to do… honestly nothing,” Shoaib Akhtar added.

Earlier, Virat Kohli’s record-breaking century and disciplined bowling propelled India to a convincing six-wicket victory over Pakistan in a crucial match of marquee event at the Dubai International Stadium.

India chased down a modest 242 with a loss of four wickets and 45 deliveries to spare. Virat Kohli remained unbeaten with 100 runs as he smashed seven fours. Shreyas Iyer struck 56 runs, studded with seven fours and a six.

Shaheen Shah Afridi took two wickets for 74 runs in his 8 overs. For Pakistan, Abrar Ahmed was the only positive as he finished with figures 1-28 in his 10 overs.

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Saud Shakeel scored a fifty as Pakistan set a 242-run target for India. Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan made 46 off 77 balls, while Khushdil Shah scored 38 off 39 deliveries.

Kuldeep Yadav was India’s bowler’s pick, taking three wickets, while Hardik Pandya took two.

Harshit Rana, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja took one wicket each in the game.

READ: Champions Trophy: Virat Kohli opens up after his match-winning century against Pakistan

Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has predicted the winner of the high-octane ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash between arch-rivals Pakistan and India.

The ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy will kick off on 19 February with host and defending champions Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the curtain-raiser in Karachi’s National Bank Stadium.

The eight-team tournament will consist of 15 matches over 19 days and will take place in Pakistan and Dubai.

The arch-rivals Pakistan and India have been placed in Group A alongside New Zealand and Bangladesh. The much-anticipated clash between arch-rivals will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23.

Shoaib Akhtar, during a media interaction in Dubai, predicted that Pakistan will defeat India in their group match in the Champions Trophy.

“I’m hopeful that Pakistan will defeat India on February 23. In fact, I believe that both Pakistan and India should also meet in the final of the tournament,” he predicted.

“If Pakistan defeats India and New Zealand in the Champions Trophy, the Green Shirts will have already won half the tournament.”

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He also shared his prediction for the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy.

“I believe Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan will reach the semi-finals of the 2025 Champions Trophy,” he stated.

“If Afghanistan’s team demonstrates maturity and their batsmen show patience, they could deliver surprising results.”

In Pakistan, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi will be the three venues to host tournament play. Each Pakistan venue will feature three group games apiece, with Lahore hosting the second semi-final.

Lahore will also host the final on 9 March, unless India qualify, in which case it will be played in Dubai.

Both the semi-finals and the final will have reserve days. The three group matches involving India, as well as the first semi-final, will be played in Dubai.

READ: ICC unveils nominees for Player of the Month awards for January 2025

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has predicted that the Afghanistan cricket team will make it to the semi-finals of the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, set to be played from February 19 to March 9.

The former pacer, during a media interaction in Dubai, was asked to name his final four teams for the Champions Trophy.

In response, he included arch-rivals Pakistan and India as well as Afghanistan, who are participating in their first Champions Trophy.

“I believe Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan will reach the semi-finals of the 2025 Champions Trophy,” said Shoaib Akhtar.

“If Afghanistan’s team demonstrates maturity and their batsmen show patience, they could deliver surprising results.”

Meanwhile, he expressed his faith in the Pakistan cricket team to defeat India in the high-octane clash between the neighbouring countries.

“I’m hopeful that Pakistan will defeat India on February 23. In fact, I believe that both Pakistan and India should also meet in the final of the tournament,” he predicted.

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“If Pakistan defeats India and New Zealand in the Champions Trophy, the Green Shirts will have already won half the tournament.”

It’s worth noting that the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy will kick off on 19 February with host and defending champions Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the curtain-raiser in Karachi’s National Bank Stadium.

The eight-team tournament will consist of 15 matches over 19 days and will take place in Pakistan and Dubai.

In Pakistan, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi will be the three venues to host tournament play. Each Pakistan venue will feature three group games apiece, with Lahore hosting the second semi-final.

Lahore will also host the final on 9 March, unless India qualify, in which case it will be played in Dubai.

Both the semi-finals and the final will have reserve days. The three group matches involving India, as well as the first semi-final, will be played in Dubai.

READ: Here’s why no Indian match officials will officiate in Champions Trophy 2025

Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has recently opened up about the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to drop explosive opening batter Fakhar Zaman.

The Pakistan men’s selection committee, on 4 December, announced the squads for the ongoing South Africa tour. However, Fakhar was once again ignored after being left out of the central contracts as well as the recent tours of Australia and Zimbabwe.

Akhtar, while speaking on a local news channel, stated that Fakhar is a key player in white-ball cricket and he should be brought back into the line-up.

“He [Fakhar Zaman] is a good, mature, and committed player, but you’ve unnecessarily benched him due to ego battles,” said Shoaib. “Even if you don’t play him now, you will need him sooner or later — if not today, then tomorrow.”

However, he also advised Fakhar to focus on his on-field performances as well as fitness rather than public giving statements.

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“Fakhar should understand that he needs to let his bat speak. Avoid unnecessary statements and prove yourself with consistent performances,” he added.

Shoaib Akhtar attributed Fakhar’s exclusion to ‘ego battles,’ but Pakistan’s white-ball captain, Mohammad Rizwan, previously stated that there was no ‘personal bias’ influencing the decision.

“I think the whole of Pakistan knows Fakhar Zaman, and there’s nothing personal about him that makes anyone feel like he’s being treated unfairly,” said Rizwan in a video released by the PCB.

“From the conversations we’ve had among ourselves, everyone is hopeful about him because he is something different for Pakistan – he’s a character and a game-changer.”

It is important to note that Fakhar last played for Pakistan during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2024 in June.

READ: Another Pakistan cricketer announces retirement after Mohammad Amir, Imad Wasim

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has recently addressed the challenges faced by star batter Babar Azam and discussed his role in the team ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Babar Azam has been facing significant criticism lately due to his inconsistent performances in all three formats of the game.

However, during the recent ODI series victory against Australia, he provided a glimpse of his former brilliance and skill. He scored only 80 runs in three innings, but he got out only once and struck the winning boundary in both of Pakistan’s victories.

Despite his performance in ODIs, Babar’s struggles in the T20 format have drawn renewed scrutiny. In three T20I matches, he could muster only a mere 47 runs, raising concerns about his form and consistency.

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Shoaib Akhtar, while talking to a local news channel, warned that the star batter needs to regain his form and score heavy runs during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to retain his place in the Pakistan cricket team.

“He’s our star, I’ll back him up. But the thing is, with the new management, with a new mindset, he has to create a change in his ‘neurological wiring,’ otherwise, the new management might not consider him in T20Is and even ODIs,” Akhtar said.

The former pacer emphasized that a few good innings are not enough; Babar must score match-winning centuries.

“The Champions Trophy is the time and place where Babar needs to be at the forefront for Pakistan. He needs to dominate and score three centuries in the Champions Trophy that too in a match-winning cause,” he added.

“If he does that then definitely he can come back. But if not, then the path is going to be very difficult,” Akhtar concluded.

READ: Pakistan thump Bangladesh to clinch Blind T20 World Cup title

Former Pakistan cricket captain Salman Butt recently shared his thoughts on the most complete fast bowler among the legendary trio of Shoaib Akhtar, Wasim Akram, and Waqar Younis.

Each of these bowlers is revered as one of the greatest in the history of cricket, having struck fear into the hearts of even the most accomplished batters around the world during their careers.

With their devastating speed, exceptional skill, and remarkable accuracy, they have left an indelible mark on the game, showcasing the art of fast bowling in its finest form.

During a recent appearance on a local podcast, Salman Butt, who has played alongside all three bowlers, was asked to name the most complete bowler among them. The former captain highlighted that each bowler possesses unique qualities, making direct comparisons difficult.

“Look, Shoaib Bhai wasn’t just fast; he was a wonderful bowler with exceptional mental sharpness. He was always threatening and had all the skills,” Salman remarked.

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“Wasim Bhai and Waqar Bhai were not only express fast bowlers, but they could swing the ball, seam it, and execute deadly reverse swing. They had the ability to shatter toes and split helmets, such complete bowlers are unmatched.”

Salman Butt emphasized that these bowlers possess exceptional skills and talents that set them apart, making it impossible to draw comparisons with any bowler who represented Pakistan after them.

“You cannot compare anyone who came later with the category these three fall into. Especially Wasim and Waqar, the way they sustained their performances over such a long period is remarkable. The era in which they played and carried themselves is without parallel,” he added.

The former captain also highlighted the fitness levels of Shoaib Akhtar, Wasim Akram, and Waqar Younis, sharing examples of how they maintained high bowling speeds even as they neared the end of their illustrious careers.

“Wasim Bhai played his last World Cup in 2003 in South Africa and was still bowling at speeds of 137-138 km/h at the age of 40, something today’s bowlers struggle with. Waqar was no different in terms of his enduring brilliance,” he stated.

“Shoaib Bhai, despite his injuries, was bowling over 150 km/h in the 2011 World Cup in India at the age of 38-39. Such feats are rarely seen these days.”

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Former South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn declared that the former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar had the best yorker in the history of cricket.

Steyn while responding to a social media post by Iceland Cricket gave his opinion about who he thinks had the best yorker.

Iceland Cricket, on their X (formerly Twitter) account, asked a question, “Which bowler has had the best yorker in history?”

Steyn responded with “99 World Cup, Shoaib Akhtar.”

For the unversed, Akhtar set the stage on fire during the 1999 ODI World Cup in England. He was instrumental in Pakistan’s journey to the final, where they lost to Australia in a one-sided affair.

Akhtar was Pakistan’s second highest-wicket taker in the tournament, behind Saqlain Mushtaq, with 16 wickets from 10 matches.

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The right-arm bowler is known as the fastest bowler in history, having set the record for the fastest ball ever. He bowled a 161.3 kph delivery during the 2003 World Cup match against England.

During his 11-year international career, which was plagued with injuries, he took 178 wickets in 46 Tests, 247 wickets in 163 ODIs, and 19 wickets in 15 T20Is.

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