The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry is well known to everyone and it is even rated bigger and greatest than the Ashes between England and Australia. There are probably no bigger and enthralling cricket encounters than the India-Pakistan clashes over the years.
Apart from the cricket moments, there are never-ending stories and incidents about the greatest rivalry of cricket and recently former Indian pacer Ashish Nehra recalled an interesting incident from the 2004 Champions Trophy involving former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar.
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Nehra revealed that he was once sledged in Punjabi by Akhtar during a 2004 Champions Trophy match between India and Pakistan after losing his wicket to his Pakistan counterpart in Birmingham.
In that 2004 Champions Trophy encounter, India was struggling but managed to put a 200 on the scoreboard against Pakistan, thanks to a hard-fought 50 from Rahul Dravid and 47 from Ajit Agarkar.
Nehra was the last man batting who was caught on the last short ball of the innings by the Rawalpindi Express and India also lost the match to Pakistan by 3 wickets in Birmingham.
Speaking on Wisden’s Greatest Rivalry Podcast, Nehar recalled the incident: “In 2004 we were playing Champions Trophy game in Birmingham. India batted first and we scored some 200 runs.”
He further added, “We lost that game in the end. I was the last guy out and Shoaib Akhtar bowled one short ball. I tried to pull it and got out caught at midwicket. Shahid Afridi took the catch and then he’s telling me in Punjabi ‘before you pull, you should know who you’re facing.”
However, fans might see the incident as sledging, but Nehra insisted it was all in humor and was in good spirits and shares a good friendship with some Pakistan players, including Akhtar.
Nehra signed off by saying, “Shoaib Akhtar is a great friend, no doubt about it. Whenever we’re in England and even till today. After 3-4 months, we message each other and banter is going on.”
(With Hindustan Times Inputs)
