'I would have chopped his head off..': Shoaib Akhtar recalls fiery spell against Ricky Ponting in 2005
Shoaib Akhtar recalled his fierce battle with Ricky Ponting in the 2004-05 Test series.
One of the quickest bowlers in the history of cricket, former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar used to terrorise the best of batters with sheer pace during his playing days. Akhtar holds the record for bowling the fastest delivery ever bowled in international cricket and was famously called the Rawalpindi Express by the fans and followers of the game.
Akhtar enjoyed some great on-field duels with the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting among others during his playing days. Akhtar bowled one of his most fearsome spells against Ponting during the Perth Test between Australia and Pakistan in 1999. He later terrorised Ponting once again in the 2004-2005 Test series between the two sides.
After Pakistan lost two matches in the series, Akhtar wanted to go after the Aussie batters on the bouncy track in Perth and breathed fire with the ball against Ponting. Recalling his fiery spell to the former Australia captain, Akhtar recently said he wanted to test Ponting against his pace.
The former fast bowler also admitted he was furiously fast on the day and would have gone for the batter's head had it been someone else and not Ponting facing him. Akhtar had tried to unsettle the likes of Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer as well in the series and enjoyed verbal duels with them.
"I gave it to them. In the 2005 series, me and [Justin] Langer got into a fight. Me and [Matt] Hayden got into a fight. It's verbal, not physical. I wanted to display my talent [and show] that I am better than you," Akhtar told theSydney Morning Herald.
Also Read:Chahal to open with Jos Buttler for RR in IPL 2022? England star reacts to hilarious tweet - WATCH
)
Xi Jinping's new AI bloc: China launches 'World AI Body' with Pakistan and Russia in, India out
)
3.5-million-year-old mystery creature found in Japan is a 'giant' never seen before
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the S-400 uses solid rocket fuel instead of liquid fuel
)
Explained: Why Rodri won the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball over Lionel Messi
)
Japan is selling a refrigerator to cool the human body for Rs 9 lakh. It is already a hit in Tokyo
)
Lip reader reveals what Donald Trump told every Spain and Argentina player after FIFA World Cup final during medal ceremony
)
US-Iran conflicts: Houthis announce maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia, Iran attacks MQ-9 drone hangar | Gravitas
)
‘Iran can survive sanctions, but can’t truly live’: Dy FM warns of economic cost of war
)
Sonam Wangchuk's connection with George Soros and Ford Foundation explained!
)
'There is no need for...': PM Modi takes a veiled dig at Rahul Gandhi, sends big message amid Parliament March
)
‘Netanyahu will not be arrested in any way, shape, or form in US’: Trump’s counter to Mamdani
)
FACT CHECK: Was Abhijit Dipke detained during CJP's Parliament march? Here's what police say
)
UP BTech gold medalist dies by suicide after failing in nearly 50 govt job attempts, leaves note for father
)
Jail over Khamenei post: J&K youth returns home after 3 months in Saudi custody
)
'Now come to us': CJP resumes protest after Parliament march violence, calls meeting with Nadda 'waste of time'
)
Salman Khan breaks silence on health concerns after viral Mumbai appearance
)
'George Soros playbook': Understanding the foreign funding network around Sonam Wangchuk
)
Indus treaty can no longer function in its current form, says India; plans 5,500 mw of new J&K hydro projects
)
Maha CM Wife Amruta Fadnavis' Yoga Day appearance sparks social media debate over attire | Watch
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
2026 FIFA World Cup awards: Full list of Golden Boot, Golden Ball, Golden Glove and every major winner
)
US-Iran war: Report suggests US lost 42 aircraft, including fighter jets, reaper drones
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Spain World Cup victory parade in Madrid: Champions celebrate second FIFA World Cup title with over million fans
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
FIFA World Cup 2026 team of the tournament: The best XI that ruled football’s biggest stage
)
Heavy sanctions loom over Argentine players after ugly brawl following final whistle in World Cup final
)
Truck loaded with stones, metro stations closed: What's happening at Jantar Mantar now
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why US fighter jets use seamless bubble canopies compared to Russian jets
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the F-22’s cockpit glass is thicker than a standard fighter jet
)
Student union leaders call off hunger strike at Jantar Mantar after civil society appeal, but protest continues
)
Tulsi Gabbard's brother Batarti accused of luring children to hotel room in Hawaii
)
'What is wrong...': Anna Hazare breaks silence on Sonam Wangchuk's protest, makes an appeal to Centre
"During the Test match, I thought [if nothing is happening] let's hurt somebody. That's why I bowled the fastest spell. I wanted to see if Ricky can match my pace and I was purposely bowling bouncers [to] see if I could beat him but before that I had never beaten him with my sheer pace.
"Had it not been Ricky Ponting … I would have chopped his [the batsman's] head off because it was furiously fast," he added.
Akhtar played 46 Tests, 163 ODIs and 15 T20Is in his international career, picking up an impressive 444 wickets across all three formats. He has remained an avid follower of the game post his retirement and never shies away from sharing his opinions on the latestissues in world cricket.