Shoaib Akhtar's 3 best spells against India
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is celebrating his 49th birthday on Tuesday, August 13. The 'Rawalpindi Express' was once considered among the fastest bowlers in the world and was often compared to Australia's pace sensation Brett Lee. Although injuries cut short his career, he remains one of the most colorful characters the game has produced.
Akhtar played 46 Test matches and picked up 178 wickets at an average of 25.69, with 12 five-fers and two 10-wicket match hauls. In the one-day format, he represented Pakistan in 163 matches and claimed 247 wickets at an average of 24.97, with four five-wicket hauls.
The right-arm pacer enjoyed his battles against India and was involved in some tense contests against the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Virender Sehwag. On the occasion of his 49th birthday, we look back at three of his best spells against India.
#3 (4-36) in Birmingham, 2004 ICC Champions Trophy
Akhtar claimed 4-36 in 9.5 overs as Pakistan beat India by three wickets in match number 12 of the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Batting first, India were bowled out for 200 in 49.5 overs, a total Pakistan chased down in 49.2 overs.
Akhtar's four wickets dismantled India's batting in the game. He had Mohammad Kaif caught behind for 27. In the same over, the Pakistan speedster sent back Yuvraj Singh for a duck, dismissing him caught behind as well. He returned to end India's innings, claiming the last two wickets to fall. Akhtar dismissed Irfan Pathan (6) and Ashish Nehra (0).
Fellow Pakistan pacer Naved-ul-Hasan also starred with 4-25 in nine overs as the Men in Blue finished with a below-par score. In reply, Pakistan crumbled to 3-27 as Pathan claimed three early wickets. However, Mohammad Yousuf (81*) and skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq (41) ensured victory for the chasing side, with Shahid Afridi also chipping in with 25 off 12.
#2 (3-19) in Brisbane, Carlton & United Series 2000
Akhtar shone with figures of 3-19 from eight overs as Pakistan got the better of India by two wickets at the Brisbane Cricket Ground in Woolloongabba in match number two of the 1999-2000 Carlton & United Series. Batting first, India were bowled out for 195 in 48.5 overs. In a thrilling chase, Pakistan recovered from 71-6 to sneak home in 49 overs.
Akhtar got the massive wicket of Dravid, having him caught behind for 8 off 18 balls. The speedster also knocked over the well-set Sourav Ganguly (61 off 101) to put India firmly on the back foot. He also added the scalp of keeper-batter Sameer Dighe (6), who was trapped leg before on his ODI debut.
For India, Javagal Srinath claimed 4-49 to give the Men in Blue hope. Yousuf (63 off 83) again defied the Men in Blue, while skipper Wasim Akram (24), Saqlain Mushtaq (27*), and Waqar Younis (13*) played crucial cameos to take Pakistan home in a nail-biting finish to the low-scoring thriller.
#1 (4-71) in Kolkata, 1999 Asian Test Championship
Akhtar's most famous spell in international cricket against India came in the first match of the Asian Test Championship at Eden Gardens in Kolkata in February 1999. The right-arm pacer picked up 4-71 in 19.2 overs and claimed another four-fer in the second innings as Pakistan won the Test by 46 runs.
In the first innings, Akhtar famously bowled Dravid and Tendulkar off consecutive deliveries, producing two sensational yorkers. Batting first, Pakistan recovered from 26-6 to post 185 courtesy of Moin Khan's 70 and Akram's 38. In the chase, India were well-placed at 147-2, which became 147-4 after Akhtar sent back Dravid and Tendulkar off successive balls.
He had earlier cleaned up VVS Laxman for 5 and also bowled Venkatesh Prasad for a duck towards the end of the Indian innings. Apart from Akhtar's four-fer, Akram also claimed 3-65 as India were held to 223. Saeed Anwar's 188* saw Pakistan post 316 in the second innings. Chasing 279, India were bowled out for 232 as Akhtar claimed 4-47 and Saqlain 3-69.