#RandomCricketPhotosThatMakeMeHappy (NOT)
For most growing up in the late 90s and early 2000s, Sachin v Shoaib was cricket's battle royale of individual contest. But have you wondered why so little is talked about Shoaib's battles with another great of that era, Brian Lara?
For most growing up in the late 90s and early 2000s, Sachin v Shoaib was cricket's battle royale of individual contest. But have you wondered why so little is talked about Shoaib's battles with another great of that era, Brian Lara?
The answer is because it lasted just five deliveries.
YES. JUST FIVE.
As opposed to hundreds of deliveries he bowled to Sachin, Akhtar bowled only five balls to Lara throughout his career which lasted close to 15 years and coincided with the last 10 years of Lara's career.
YES. JUST FIVE.
As opposed to hundreds of deliveries he bowled to Sachin, Akhtar bowled only five balls to Lara throughout his career which lasted close to 15 years and coincided with the last 10 years of Lara's career.
And this terrible incident happened on the fifth delivery.
And, of course, there's an interesting story to it as well.
And, of course, there's an interesting story to it as well.
The match was the 2004 Champions Trophy semi-final and West Indies were chasing a modest target. When Lara walked in, Akhtar remembers in his autobiography, that he walked up to him and asked if he could say something. Lara replied, "Please do, but don't be nasty to me."
Akhtar replied, "No, I won't. It's an honour for me to bowl to you. I've been waiting for this for so long. Lara thanked the bowler for the compliment and added, "How about going easy on me then?"
The fifth ball Lara faced from Akhtar in that match resulted in him getting hit on the head, after he had raced to 31 from 30 deliveries. The southpaw was hospitalized for concussion after giving many a scare for a few seconds after the blow.
It all ended well though as in a few days he lifted the Champions Trophy for West Indies.
It all ended well though as in a few days he lifted the Champions Trophy for West Indies.
It all ended well though as in a few days he lifted the Champions Trophy for West Indies.
Akhtar wrote, "It's a pity I only bowled 3 balls to him (actually he bowled 5 deliveries to him). I admire him greatly and would have loved to match my skills against his."
If you enjoyed this story, there are more stories of cricket photographs being told on our podcast Random Cricket Photos That Make My Guests Happy. Check out the episodes here.
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