'Wanted to punch him' - Shoaib Akhtar's epic reaction to Mohammad Kaif's approach
Kaif was one of the very few batters who dared to step out of the crease against Akhtar.
Cricket fans went in nostalgia as the inaugural edition of the Legends League Cricket (LLC) got underway on Thursday (January 20). The opening clash saw India Maharajas going up against Asia Lions and walking away with a six-wicket win at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman. One of the highlights of the game was the battle between former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar and ex-Indian batter Mohammad Kaif.
Akhtar, who holds the record of bowling the fastest delivery in international cricket, did not appreciate Kaif charging down the pitch to face him. Kaif was one of the very few batters who dared to step out of the crease against Akhtar. He did the same in the LLC opener as well. Like during their playing days, Akhtar didn’t appreciate Kaif’s approach this time around as well.
Mohammad Kaif walked towards me again: Shoaib Akhtar
Responding to the Indian batter’s tactics, Akhtar unleashed a brilliant bouncer which went past Kaif and the batter had no answer. The pacer dismissed Kaif in a similar manner back in 2003. Following the conclusion of the match, Akhtar jokingly said that he had warned Kaif many times not to walk against him.
“He is walking towards me again. I just feel like punching him,” Akhtar said in the post-match interview as he breaks into laughter. “I have told him [Kaif] many-a-times on television to not walk on him but he did it again,” added Akhtar.
Meanwhile, both players also had a light moment on the field which was widely appreciated by fans of both nations. Speaking of how the two players fared, Akhtar gave away just 21 runs from his quota of four overs alongside picking up a wicket. On the other hand, skipper Kaif played a calculative knock of 42 runs to take his side over the line.
Meanwhile, the star of the night was Yusuf Pathan, who made a mockery of Asia Lions bowler. Coming into bat at number five, the senior Pathan attacked bowlers from the outset and played some delightful shots. He ended up scoring 80 off mere 40 deliveries as the Maharajs chased down 176 with six wickets in hand.
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