Rajendra Prasad Mohapatra

Former Pakistan great Shoaib Akhtar was one of the best fast bowlers of his time. The ferocious speedster often tormented the best batsmen with his sheer pace and bowling at a regular speed over 150 kmph during his playing days.

However, former India legend MS Dhoni had once tormented Akhtar with his attacking batting. During a Test match between India and Pakistan in Faisalabad in 2006, a frustrated Shoaib deliberately bowled a beamer to Dhoni. Umpire Simon Taufel called it a no-ball and gave Akhtar a warning for the over. 

Subsequently, the legendary pacer came up to Dhoni and apologised for his behaviour. He revealed the incident to former India cricketer Aakash Chopra on his official YouTube channel.

“I think I had bowled an 8-9 over spell in Faisalabad. It was a quick spell and Dhoni scored a hundred. I purposely bowled a beamer to Dhoni and apologised to him,” said Akhtar.

“It was the first time in my life I had bowled a beamer purposely. I shouldn’t have bowled a beamer purposely. I shouldn’t have done it. I regretted it a lot. Dhoni was playing so well and the wickets were slow. However fast I was bowling, he kept on hitting. I think I got frustrated over the development,” he added.
 

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