Former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja has slammed the country’s former pace sensation Shoaib Akhtar, calling him a “fake superstar”, as the controversy over the latter’s comments about national team players deepens.
Popularly known as the Rawalpindi Express for his exceptional bowling speed, the former seamer’s controversial remarks came to light recently and did not sit well with cricket fans.
Raja highlighted the recent incident where Akhtar mocked his fellow cricketer Kamran Akmal over the English pronunciation of screen, saying “Skrien hota, skrien hota (It’s not a screen, it’s a screen)”.
Raja said, “Shoaib Akhtar is a delusional superstar, he had a problem with Kamran Akmal recently. He wants everyone to be a brand, but it’s more important to be human first. Be human first.” And then the brand,” said Raja. A local news channel.
“Our former players defame our brand of cricket by making fraudulent statements. You will never see this happening in our neighboring country. You will never see Sunil Gavaskar criticizing Rahul Dravid. This would happen only in Pakistan. is, where ex-players don’t let others do their job. Act professionally,” he added.
Raja also criticized Akhtar while talking about becoming the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
“He [Akhtar] needs to get a graduate degree first to be eligible for the PCB chairmanship,” he said.
Recently, cricketer-turned-commentator Alan Wilkins also questioned Akhtar’s remarks on fast bowler Shaheen Afridi.
“If I were him [Shaheen Afridi], I would have bowled as many balls in those 12 minutes and become the biggest celebrity in Pakistan. Got up, used an injection to numb my knees, and Same thing again,” Akhtar said while talking about Shaheen not completing his remaining overs due to injury during the T20 World Cup final against England last year.
“People would tell me that I would die, but I would rather die than let the World Cup slip from our hands. This was the moment when you could become a superstar. Died for Pakistan,” he added.
Wilkins, however, disputed Akhtar’s remarks in a tweet on Tuesday.
“It’s an admirable thought but it’s still a long time after the event. Shaheen Shah Afridi, despite having the biggest heart in the team, couldn’t bowl on one leg!” They said.
It’s an admirable thought but it is also a long time after the event. @iShaheenAfridi couldn’t have bowled on one leg even though he’s got the biggest heart in the team! https://t.co/aTJRmam48q
— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) February 21, 2023
