Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar on Saturday (August 8) narrated an anecdote in which he disclosed that he and Shahid Afridi were once planning to dismiss Indian batting legend Rahul Dravid early in order to enjoy their Friday night.
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Speaking on former India opener Aakash Chopra’s Youtube channel, Akhtar revealed Sachin Tendulkar was not playing in the match and India had lost quick wickets in the match. It was then Afridi asked him to bowl some special delivery and get rid of Dravid.
In fact, Shoaib nearly sent Dravid packing when one of his deliveries struck the former Karnataka batsman's pads. While appealing for LBW, the Rawalpindi Express also told the umpire about his Friday night plans but was unsuccessful in the attempt.
"If a batsman used to play, like Rahul Dravid, we would bowl him length balls. From close to the stump we would aim the gap between bat and pad, try hit the ball on the pad. There was a final mach in Bangalore, I had dismissed Sadagoppan Ramesh early, we took 3-4 wickets early. Sachin Tendulkar was not playing.
"Shahid Afridi and I said Rahul Dravid will take a lot of time and it's Friday night today. Afridi said bowl something and take his wicket else he will play for long. I hit him directly on the pad and urged umpire to raise his fingers. I even said it's our Friday night. He did not give the decision in our favour but we had won in the end. Dravid was a difficult and determined batsman. It was difficult for me as well as him. He would play against me easily,” Akhtar remarked.
The story that Shoaib Akhtar shared was from the 1999 Pepsi Cup final match in Bangalore. In that encounter, Pakistan had thrashed the Ajay Jadeja-led Indian side by 123 runs, with Akhtar claiming two wickets in the match.