‘You played against me in 2003 and spoiled my day’ - Shoaib Akhtar recalls first battle with James Anderson

Pakistan and England are lining up for one of the most eagerly awaited Test series and the first Test is scheduled to start on December 1 in Rawalpindi. Ahead of it, former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar recalled an incident with veteran seamer James Anderson dated 2003 which stole the limelight from Akhtar.

Notably, Anderson is still playing Test cricket at the age of 40 and is the highest wicket-taker among fast bowlers in the longest format.  

Akhtar, on the other hand, holds the record for delivering the fastest delivery in international cricket and he achieved the feat against England in 2003 with a 161.3 kph delivery.

In the same game, Pakistan restricted England to 246 and it looked like an easy win for the Men in Green until Anderson bowled a stunning spell of 4 for 29 and helped England register a 112-run victory. 

Had I been the fittest guy, I would’ve been the greatest ever: Shoaib Akhtar 

Akhtar mentioned how Anderson’s spell ruined his happiness of creating the record, in a sarcastic way. He (Akhtar) is excited to see the 40-year-old England seamer in Pakistan after so many years.  

"Mr Anderson, you played against me in 2003 and spoiled my day! When I broke the record, you annihilated us in that game … ruined my happiness! He’s a brilliant guy and it will be fantastic to see him bowl in Pakistan again. It’s been nearly 18 years since he was here and now he’s back again and his bowling looks as virile as ever," Akthar told the Guardian. 

Akthar further lamented on how injuries disintegrated his career and hopes to see someone break his long standing record.

"Every time I turn on the TV, I say: ‘Is there anyone out there who can step up? Please take this record away from me,’ I’ll be the first to fly out and shake them by the hand. Had I been the fittest guy, I would’ve been the greatest ever," he added.