'Can't describe him in a word, he's a whole book' - Shahid Afridi on Shoaib Akhtar

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi came up with an interesting reply to a fan’s question to describe Shoaib Akhtar in one word. Akhtar, who is one of the best bowlers from his nation to have played the game, did play a majority of his international career alongside Afridi and the two cricketers are bound to know a lot about each. Akhtar, popularly known as Rawalpindi Express, has clocked the fastest delivery in the world of 161.3 kmph and the record is yet to be broken as well.

The right-arm quick played 46 Tests, 163 ODIs and 15 T20Is for Pakistan from the period of 1997 to 2011 and he had a lot of battles against the best of batters going around in his time. Interestingly, Afridi has been the skipper of Akhtar towards the final stages of the latter’s international career.

His bravery has wrecked the batsmen over: Shahid Afridi

Replying to the fan’s question to describe Akthar in a word, Afridi looked confused and explained that it is difficult to describe the lethal pacer in just one word. He added that Akhtar was a match-winner during his times and highlighted the impact he can create on the opponent’s batters while pacing his quick deliveries.

“You can’t describe him in one word, he is a whole book! I’ve played across eras, I’ve seen many fast bowlers, but Shoaib Akhtar’s strength, his bravery has wrecked the batsmen over. The batsmen used to be under so much pressure while facing him. He was a match-winner and he has achieved great things for Pakistan,” Afridi said on Samaa TV.

Afridi decided to retire from international cricket in 2018, but did play the T20 leagues after that and was part of the recently concluded PSL 2022 season which turned out to be his last as he had announced earlier. At 42 years, Afridi had to pull out the midway of the tournament citing injury concerns and Akthar reacted by stating him to take a rest.

“Rest kero Lala. Is umar main yeh ishq nahi asaan. (Rest, Lala. The love is not easy at this age),” Akhtar had said.