Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh in an interview with Indian show 'Aap ki Adalat' claimed that Pakistan's former fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar pummeled him along with Indian middle-order batsman Yuvraj Singh, BBC Urdu reported.

Talking to show host Rajat Sharma, 'Bhajji' said: "Shoaib once threatened me that he'd barge my room to hit me. I told him 'we will see who hits who'. Nonetheless, I was scared because of his bulky physique. Once, he hit Yuvraj and me. Because of his heavy build, it was difficult to overpower him."

The off-spinner, however, added that despite their heated exchanges during Indo-Pak encounters on the field, the two are quite friendly.

"Shoaib has spent a lot of time with us. I think that's why he doesn't take us seriously. He has insulted us a lot but then, he is really close to us and we all sit together," said Singh, who made his international debut in March 1998 against Australia.

Bhajji, who has 711 international scalps to his name in his 18-year-long career, revealed that the 'Rawalpindi Express' once challenged him to hit him a six.

"When I replied with a six, he was left standing. He followed up with two successive bouncers. Then he sledged me, to which I responded. But after the game we sat together and nothing serious happened."

Singh is often embroiled in controversies for his questionable on-field behaviour. He slapped his Indian teammate, Sreesanth, after an Indian Premier League contest.

The event was preceded by racial slurs on the former Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds during a Test match when India toured Australia in 2008.