Akhtar describes a strange meeting the Pakistani team had before Ganguly was TARGETED by the pacer’s short-pitched ball. India legend Virender Sehwag says interview will be heard by Ganguly. Akhtar has been effusive in his admiration of Ganguly’s batting and leadership abilities.
Shoaib Akhtar and Sourav Ganguly became buddies off the field and shared a dressing room during the first season of the IPL while playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders. Akhtar has been effusive in his admiration of Ganguly’s batting and leadership abilities. Their first meeting was one of the riskiest in Ganguly’s professional life. True fans will always remember that devastating blow from the ODI in Mohali in 1999. Akhtar describes a strange meeting the Pakistani team had before Ganguly was killed by the pacer’s short-pitched ball, years after the tragedy occurred.
During an interview with India legend Virender Sehwag for Star Sports’ ‘Frenemies,’ which was posted on YouTube, Akhtar stated that before a match against India, he was instructed to “target the batsmen” (i.e., the head and ribs) and not dismiss them. One of the hitters he was assigned to hit in the ribs was named Ganguly, he said.
“The head and the rubs of a batter were constant targets of mine. We chose to go for Ganguly’s ribs as our primary objective. The meeting itself was where I tried to hit batters and it was agreed. “Do I not ignore them?” I finally questioned. ‘No,’ they said. You move quite quickly. Try to get the batters hot, and we’ll handle getting them out of the inning,” he added.
When asked for comment, Sehwag stated, “This interview will undoubtedly be heard by Ganguly.
Later, Akhtar communicated this to Ganguly, he said. I informed Ganguly after the fact that we were going to “target you in the ribs and not get you out,” he said.
In the 1999 tie, Ganuly was removed from the field after being struck by a devastating short-pitched ball from Akhtar. The Pakistani attack of Akhtar and Wasim Akram were no match for the India veteran, who returned from injuries to produce a spectacular hundred in Adelaide.
