Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar revealed that Inzamam-ul-Haq was the most difficult batsman he had ever bowled to in his decorated career. While speaking on a show hosted by former skipper Wasim Akram, the 42-year-old said that although he found many players difficult to face, Inzamam was the toughest batsman to dismiss.
“There were a lot of players in the world whom I found difficult to get out, but the most difficult, whom I couldn’t even get out in the nets, was Inzamam,” said Akhtar.
Akhtar pointed out that no batsmen had played his deliveries better than Inzamam, adding that the chief selector was really quick with the footwork and always placed himself where the bowl would land.
“I think there was no other player who played me better than him. His footwork was quick, he would place himself and be ready to play. He could see the ball earlier than many. I always thought he had an extra second. However fast I bowl, he had placed himself where the ball would land,” he said.
The Rawalpindi Express also recalled his country’s 1990 tour to India, where he made headlines by dismissing Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar off consecutive deliveries in the first match of the Asian Test Championship at Kolkata.
“Wasim gave me the ball after lunch and were telling me to do this and that. I thought to myself that I should open up and bowl a quicker one to Dravid. When Dravid was bowled, then I realised that Sachin is coming. I realised that he didn’t walk in while watching the shine on the ball,” told Akhtar.
Earlier, criticising Pakistan’s attitude in the ongoing ODI series against England, legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram has said that the current national team are playing matches like they used to play way back in the 1990s. Akram’s comments came after Pakistan suffered a second successive defeat against Eoin Morgan’s side, losing by four wickets at Lord’s on Saturday.
Pakistan lost both the opening two matches of the five-match ODI series after posting a target of 260 and 251 respectively.