Former Pakistan great makes shocking revelation of taking extreme measures vs India

In a striking revelation about one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries, former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has opened up about the extreme physical hardship he endured during the 1998-99 tour of India. The former pacer admitted that he and off-spin great Saqlain Mushtaq secretly relied on injections and medication to continue playing despite serious knee injuries.

Akhtar described that both bowlers were battling severe swelling and fluid build-up in their knees at the time. The pain was so intense that continuing without medical assistance was nearly impossible. He revealed that they chose to keep their condition hidden from senior members of the team management, fearing they would be dropped from the squad. According to Akhtar, the pressure to perform against India outweighed concerns about long-term health.

The late 1990s marked a golden era in the India-Pakistan rivalry. Pakistan’s squad, led by icons such as Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, was known for elevating its performance on the biggest stage. The contest was evenly matched, intense and emotionally charged, with both teams stacked with world-class talent.

A key subplot of that tour revolved around dismissing India’s batting legend Sachin Tendulkar. Akhtar recalled friendly but fierce internal competition with Saqlain over who would claim Tendulkar’s prized wicket in matches played in Chennai and Delhi. The duo would challenge each other, each determined to outdo the other in dismissing the master batter.

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Saqlain enjoyed memorable success during that series, picking up more than ten wickets in Chennai alone. Yet behind those performances lay a hidden struggle, as both bowlers pushed their bodies to the brink for the sake of national pride.

Over the years, the rivalry has transformed. Political tensions have limited India and Pakistan to facing each other only in ICC and continental tournaments since their last bilateral series in 2012-13. The edge remains, but the dynamic has shifted from physical endurance battles to more strategic and psychological contests.

Recently, following Pakistan’s disappointing exit in the 2026 T20 World Cup Super 8 stage after a heavy loss to England in Pallekele, Akhtar voiced strong criticism of the team’s approach and leadership. On a television show, he questioned the squad’s temperament under pressure and expressed frustration over what he perceived as a lack of resilience.