Amir-Kohli can match my duels with Sachin: Shoaib Akhtar

From Eden Gardens to Centurion, Shoaib Akhtar has had many memorable on-field battles with Sachin Tendulkar and he feels that Mohammad Amir and Virat Kohli’s face-offs will also go down the cricket history as some of the epic duels.

“It used to be a challenge bowling to Sachin and I think the future battles between Virat and Amir will be as exciting as our on-field rivalry. The two are world class performers and when they are pitted against each other, it can’t get better than that,” Akhtar said.

“Virat is India’s best batsman and Amir’s inclusion has made Pakistan’s attack far superior. Whenever these two will be up against each other, mazaa aanewala hain (it’s going to be fun),” he said,

Akhtar is proud that Amir’s redemption looks like it is complete and it bolsters Pakistan cricket.

“Let bygones be bygones. It feels good that the world’s best fast bowler is back where he belongs. It fills my heart with joy to see Amir run in and bowl those brilliant deliveries. Dil ko ek tasalli hoti hai use dekh kar (I feel relieved seeing him on the cricket field).

“It’s just that we need to be a bit more aggressive in our bowling department. Amir needs support from the other end and Wahab needs to step up,” 40-year-old Akhtar seemed happy talking about Pakistan’s bowling future.

However he couldn’t stop praising Kohli for his mature knock and termed him the best batsman of his era.

“Kohli is certainly the best batsman of his era. His match-finishing skills are exemplary. If you ask me whether he could be compared to Javed Miandad, who was also an exceptional finisher, I would say that two eras should not be compared. Yesterday, the manner in which he played Virat showed, why he is in a different league. Also like a true champion, he praised Amir’s bowling which was a good thing,” Akhtar said. He added that new pace sensation Jasprit Bumrah has been a welcome addition to the India squad.