Bhajji and Yuvi are my younger brothers: Shoaib Akhtar

Former Pakistan pacer, Shoaib Akhtar laughed off the comments made by the Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh that Akhtar bashed Harbhajan and Yuvraj Singh in a hotel room.

“Shoaib once threatened me he would come to my room and beat me. I told him to come, let’s see who beats whom. I was really scared. He is a great hulk. He once bashed me and Yuvi (Yuvraj Singh) inside a room. Since he was heavy, it was difficult to catch him,” Harbhajan was quoted saying.

However, Akhtar clarified that it was all meant for fun. “I think he has made a big deal of it. Yes, it did happen during 2004 when we were playing a Test in Rawalpindi. But it was nothing serious and all fun.”

“Basically, we were horsing around and doing some arm wrestling and that is all but no Bhajji and Yuvi are my younger brothers no question of beating them up,” Akhtar added.

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Harbhajan explained the incident during a show on an Indian television channel, and his comments about Akhtar were highlighted in the Pakistani media. Akhtar said that whatever rivalry Pakistan team has is only on the field, not off-the-field.

“They got along well with me and used to come to my room and have dinner together. Yuvi wanted to go for sightseeing in Islamabad. We have been good friends so how can I beat them,” he remarked.

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Former Pakistan Test captain Inzamam-ul-Haq joked about the incident, saying, “But Shoaib was always very muscular and strong and even hugging him or shaking hands with him could be painful for other players.”