What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? Fans got the answer to it when Shoaib Akhtar steamed in and hurled down bouncers to Australia’s best batsman then, Ricky Ponting, during the Perth Test of the 1999 series down under.
With Pakistan already trailing 2-0 in the three-Test series, an angry, frustrated Akhtar, realizing his extreme pace and the bounce available from the iconic WACA surface, decided to throw a barrage of short stuff towards Ponting.
However, Ponting was growing in stature in world cricket, and surviving this hostile spell from Akhtar would do well to his status. He took some body blows, but managed to survive what Akhtar said was his “fastest spell”.
Ponting though scored 197 runs and Australia won the Test by an innings. Akhtar asserted that if it was any other batsman than Ponting, he would have seriously injured the batter.
“During the Test match, I thought [if nothing is happening] let’s hurt somebody. That’s why I bowled the fastest spell. I wanted to see if Ricky can match my pace and I was purposely bowling bouncers [to] see if I could beat him but before that I had never beaten him with my sheer pace,” Akhtar said in an interview with Sydney Morning Herald.
“Had it not been Ricky Ponting … I would have chopped his [the batsman’s] head off because it was furiously fast.”
The Rawalpindi Express then also recalled the time when Mark Taylor captained Australia’s last visit to Pakistan before the ongoing tour led by Pat Cummins. Australia last travelled to Pakistan in 1998 when Akhtar said his ultra-aggressive bowling manner earned him the respect of the visitors.
“[They loved] my aggression because they think I am a Pakistani who has the attitude of an Australian. I gave it to them,” Shoaib Akhtar said.
“In the 2005 series, me and [Justin] Langer got into a fight. Me and [Matt] Hayden got into a fight. It’s verbal, not physical. I wanted to display my talent [and show] that I am better than you.”
The 46-year-old former speedster opined that bowlers should be allowed to bowl unlimited bouncers, this is in regard to the recent request by some experts about banning the bouncer completely as it has led to some unfortunate incidents in the past. Akhtar is totally against this thought, and wants the game to be more aggressive.
“They wanted gladiators out there. Nowadays, they are very soft. I don’t think the aggression is as much there now. I don’t know why. I’m old school, like Ian Chappell. I want unlimited bouncers. Bodyline bowling should be allowed. Why not? I want some character. I’ve been best of friends with Brett Lee and I respected Ricky Ponting,” he added.
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