Shoaib Akhtar challenges singer Ali Zafar, says 'Aik ball touch ker k dikha'

Injury-affected Shoaib Akhtar served the Pakistani team since 1997

Published - 04 Dec 2019, 20:46 IST | Updated - 04 Dec 2019, 20:46 IST

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Widely regarded as one of the fastest bowlers in the world and the first one to officially break the 100-mph speed barrier, Shoaib Akhtar knows how to stay in news despite retiring from the game in 2011. The injury-affected fast bowler served the Pakistani team since 1997 and had a pretty fruitful career everywhere in the world and even played in the first edition of IPL in 2008 for Kolkata Knight Riders.

Currently, he is entertaining his audiences with his analysis and rants on his YouTube channel and is often seen interacting with his fans on social media via Twitter. Popular as the Rawalpindi Express, he owns the record for the fastest delivery in international cricket at 161.3kph, which he achieved against England in 2003 World Cup. He is not one to shy on an opportunity that puts him in limelight. And this time it was his challenge to Pakistani singer Ali Zafar.

‘Practice ker le Rockstar’: Shoaib Akhtar to Ali Zafar

It all started when Shoaib Akhtar called Ali Zafar out on Twitter by posting “Suna hai bara cricketer hai tu (I have heard that you are a cricketer) @AliZafarsays??” Zafar was quick in his response as he wrote, “Suna hai bari bowling kerwaate hain aap” (I have heard that you are a bowler)

Suna hai bari bowling kerwaate hain aap 🙂 https://t.co/JSpx20zxyQ
— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) December 3, 2019

Shoaib Akhtar, who suffered from knee injuries throughout his career, still managed to terrorize batsmen all over the world with his pace and on-field banter. The most famous being bowling out Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar in two deliveries during a Test match in 1999 in Kolkata, which put Akhtar on the map as one of the most devastating bowlers in international cricket.

Meanwhile, Akhtar replied to Zafar saying, “Tu time aur jagah bataa. Aur phir aik ball touch ker k dikha.” Zafar not the one to take anything lying down, accepted and tweeted, “Ground mein Intezar ker raha hoon. Aik ball mein bhaee kervaoon ga. 172 miles/hour.”

Ground mein Intezar ker raha hoon. Aik ball mein bhaee kervaoon ga. 172 miles/hour. https://t.co/UUiLkm5LPf pic.twitter.com/Q5uryX4uf1
— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) December 3, 2019

The former fast bowler had the last laugh and tweeted, “Practice ker le rockstar @AliZafarsays. See you ;)”

Practice ker le rockstar @AliZafarsays.
See you 😉 https://t.co/DBl9wLP6Uj
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) December 3, 2019

Akhtar played 46 Tests picking up 178 wickets and got 247 wickets in 163 ODIs. He had a long career in FC matches, picking 467 scalps in 133 matches, but has said that his best years were wasted by the selectors asking him to show his pace on flat tracks in Pakistan.

According to the fastest bowler in the world, he should have had made his debut for Pakistan in 1993, not in 1997. He has still left the field with many fond memories for his fans all over the world and not just his home country.