Veteran cricketer Shoaib Akhtar was once a vital cog in the wheel for Pakistan cricket team. Beyond that, he has also graced the Indian Premier League (IPL) in its inaugural edition (2008). He used to be credited for taking his team out from the danger against the opposition. Remembering one of such instances, Akhtar recounted the days of IPL when he derailed Delhi Daredevils (now known as Delhi Capitals) in his first game.
In 2008, defending a low score of 133 runs, Akhtar took four wickets which ultimately led to the Daredevils being restricted to 110 runs. He ended with figures of four wickets for 11 runs from three overs, a performance which earned him the Player of the Match award too in the cash-rich league.
“Shah Rukh was running all over the ground”: Akhtar said.
Akhtar said that seeing his performance against DD, even Shah Rukh started running all over Eden Park.
“When I took 4 wickets, everyone went mad. Even Shah Rukh was running all over the ground, he went mad and was delirious. I thought did I win the world cup, such was the frenzy all around. Shah Rukh said you have won a very big match for us.”
At that time, Shoaib was a major bowler for KKR who has also received praise from legendary Sourav Ganguly. Former Indian cricketer praised the speedster in his book. He said that Akhtar made a lot of difference in the game.
However, Akhtar has only played three IPL games in his career that too only in 2008. Former pacer had later withdrawn his name from the league stating that he was injured.
Also, during his first appearance in the league, he was surrounded by the allegations of violating player of conduct.
Akhtar had got into a rift with his teammate Mohammad Asif. Thus, seeing his blistering performance, Ganguly acknowledged the pacer’s effort.
“He came to the country with lots [of things] happening behind him…But he showed a lot of character,” Ganguly said.
Of late, Shoaib is running a YouTube channel to record his views.