Srinagar, Aug 10: When it comes to cricket rivalry it is said that there is no higher contest than India-Pakistan clash which is even bigger than the Ashes series of England – Australia.
Apart from the cricket moments with the matches, there are never ending stories and incidents with greatest rivalry. Now one such interesting incident has been revealed by former India pacer Ashish Nehra involving former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar.
The incident took place during the 2004 Champions Trophy match between India and Pakistan in Birmingham.
Nehra was the last man out in India inning off the final ball of the innings to a short ball from Akhtar.
“In 2004 we were playing Champions Trophy game in Birmingham. India batted first and we scored some 200 runs,” Nehra said on Wisden’s Greatest Rivalry podcast.
“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, ” Nehra said.
Nehra, however, clarified that it was all in good spirits and that he and some of the Pakistan players, including Akhtar continue to share a good friendship.
“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 a banter is going on,” Nehra said.
Pakistan narrowly won the match in the last over of the innings by three wickets. The knock of 87 from Mohammad Yousuf and Inzamam-Ul-Haq’s contribution of 41 steadied the team and saw them through.