‘Why shouldn't I praise Indian players and Virat Kohli?’ – Shoaib Akhtar hits out at critics

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has lashed out at those, who criticise him for lauding Indian cricketers. The Rawalpindi Express has his own official YouTube channel where he keeps on sharing his reviews of various cricketing events around the words. The veteran has also appreciated Indian skipper Virat Kohli and the rest of the players from the Men in Blue.

However, his words didn’t go down well with many, who slammed him. Akhtar didn’t mince any words in saying that Virat is amongst the best cricketers in the modern era and there are very few players of the latter’s class and calibre.

Should I not praise him then?, questions Shoaib Akhtar

“Why should I not praise Indian players and Virat Kohli? Is there any player in Pakistan, or all over the world, which comes close to Kohli?” Akhtar was quoted as saying in an interaction with Cricket Pakistan.

“I don’t know why people are angry, they should go look at the stats first before criticising me. Do they want to keep the hatred in mind, that just because he is an Indian, we will not praise him?” he stated.

Virat, currently has 70 tons for Team India at the highest level, second only to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. At the age of 31, the Delhi-born already has a number of records under his belt and is expected to break more records in the future.

“Kohli has 70 international hundreds right now. Who else has these many hundreds right now in international cricket? How many series has he won for India? Should I not praise him then?” Akhtar added.

Kohli is also the all-time leading run-scorer in T20Is, having scored 2,794 runs at an average of 50.80 with as many as 24 half-centuries. He is also the number one ranked batsman in ODIs with 43 tons and 58 half-centuries. Moreover, the right-hander has 27 centuries in Test cricket as well.

Virat is currently in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), gearing up for the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), starting Saturday, September 19. Virat plays for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), who are yet to get their hands on the trophy.