Shoaib Akhtar, legendary Pakistani pacer, has revealed that he and spinner Saqlain Mushtaq used to take pills and injections for their knee issues when the rivalry between India and Pakistan was at its height in 1999.

Pakistan had toured India for two tests and the Asian Test Championship in 1999. Pakistan created history by winning the first Test in Chennai in 1999, their first win over India in India since 1987. India made a solid comeback by winning the second Test in Delhi, where Anil Kumble became only the second bowler to take all 10 wickets in a Test innings.

Akhtar, still the world's quickest bowler, observed the rivalry up close. While Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag have dominated him on numerous occasions, he has also emerged victorious.

Years later, while discussing Pakistan's trip to India in 1998-99, Akhtar admitted that he and Saqlain took "pills and injections" to alleviate knee discomfort and play against India.

"When Saqlain got over 10 wickets—in Chennai and in Delhi too—Saqlain and I used to bet about Sachin's wickets. He said he would get Sachin out. I said I would get him—that's what I had been doing. I said, 'No, I'll do it this time; it's my turn,'" said Akhtar.

"My knees were swollen as the area was filled with fluid. His knees had gone in 1996, and mine gave way in 1997 in front of him. And now both of us secretly used to take pills and injections just to be able to play the match. Had any senior known this, they would have thrown out Saqlain. I was anyway on their target," Akhtar added.

India and Pakistan last played in a bilateral series in 2012-13 and now only face each other in ICC and ACC tournaments.