Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar opined that despite India producing quality fast bowlers now, they lack the energy in comparison to Pakistan fast bowlers.
Notable that India made a giant stride in terms of fast bowling in the last few years as they started to win more overseas test matches. In the Australia tour 2018-19, India became the first Asian side to win a Test series in Australia as Virat Kohli & Co. triumphed the hosts by 2-1 in the 4-match series.
Two years later, India repeated the heroics with a depleted side as most of their frontline pacers were injured.
Shoaib Akhtar played 46 Tests, 163 ODIs and 15 T20Is
Speaking to former Australia speedster Brett Lee in a podcast, Shoiab Akhtar opined that there is a cultural difference in the fast bowling crop of India and Pakistan.
“There is a difference between Pakistan and India. The Indians are producing good fast bowlers, but what they are lacking is the rare energy – that anger on your face, that attitude that I am going to just kill you,” Shoaib Akhtar said.
Akhtar believes that Pakistan youngsters have more legends to look up to as compared to their Indian counterparts. Over the years Pakistan produced some quality fast bowlers in form of Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis etc. Akhtar stated that they were encouraged to bowl fast at a very young age.
“The idols that we have, the food, the environment, the attitude. At the same time, you have people like me who are full of energy. It gives us pleasure to bowl quick,” he added.
Akhtar also said that a strict non-vegetarian diet also plays a huge part in terms of developing fast bowlers.
“You become what you eat, right? My nation eats lots of animals and we end up being like animals. When it comes to fast bowlers, we just run in like lions,” he stated.
Shoaib Akhtar and Brett Lee recently played in the Legends League Cricket in which Akhtar was representing the Asia Lions while Brett Lee was a part of World Giants.
In the final World Giants beat Asia Lions to clinch the title at Al Amerat.