Veteran Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh while recalling an incident from Team India’s 2011 World Cup triumph said that Shoaib Akhtar wanted tickets for final and he told him to come as spectator. 

Team India had to lock horns against arch-rivals Pakistan in the semi-final of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

On the eve of semi-final between the nations, Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar had asked Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh for some tickets for his family for the high-voltage clash between the two nations in Mohali.

Harbhajan Singh promptly arranged the tickets for the pacer, who once again came to him to ask for tickets for his family for the final in Wankhede as well. The ‘Turbanator’ responded that it would be India, and not Pakistan, who will play the final, so Akhtar should come to the game as a spectator only.

“One of my career highlights”, Gary Kirsten recalls 2011 World Cup triumph on 10th anniversar

In an interview with Sports Today, the veteran Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh on the auspicious occasion of the 10th anniversary of India’s 2011 World Cup final win recalled the incident and said: 

"In 2011 World Cup, I met Shoaib Akhtar before the semifinal match he asked me tickets for the semi-final between India and Pakistan. So I somehow arranged some 4 tickets for him.

"Then he asked me for the final tickets too. I said 'what will you do with this?' 'India will play the final and if you want to come and watch I will give you 2-4 tickets to come watch the game.But he [Akhtar] didn't play the semi-final, and we won.” Harbhajan Singh told Sports today. 

Surprisingly Rawalpindi Express, Shoaib Akhtar, didn't feature in Pakistan's playing XI in the semi-final while Harbhajan Singh led India's bowling attack from the front as he finished with figures of 2 for 43 and helped Team India clinch a 29-run win to book their place in the final.

India then won the final against Sri Lanka to end a 28-year wait for the World Cup title. 

(Sports Today inputs)