NEW DELHI: Clocking deliveries over 150 kph-plus used to be child's play for Pakistan speed merchant
Shoaib Akhtar
. And to go with that, the deadly toe-crushers and balls whistling past the ears and noses, made Akhtar a nightmare for the opposition batters.
But for former India opener
Virender Sehwag
, playing Shoaib was like just another pacer as he used to deal with him severely, exploiting his pace when both were up against one another.
However, the Pakistan pacer did manage to get the better of Sehwag on a few occasions.
In a recent interaction between the two superstars from the neighbouring countries, Sehwag said that Akhtar's long run-up used to distract him during their duel and made him impatient while batting.
'Abhi lagenge 10-15 seconds aane me', Sehwag said on Akhtar's run-up.
"Did it distract you", asked Akhtar to which the former India opener said, "Bad thoughts used to come to mind (during his run-up). Will he hit on the toes, will he bowl a beamer. He will hit somewhere. (Joote pe marega, beamer marega, kahin to marega.)
Akhtar holds the record of bowling the fastest delivery in world cricket -- 161.3 km/hr (100.2 mph) against England in the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.
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