They were the two pace bowlers who lightened up the game of cricket in an era when flat decks and big bats ruled. Both were fierce competitors, so when Shoaib Akhtar and Brett Lee came face to face on the pitch, there was no letting up. Both have now hung up their well-worn-out boots but their competitive rivalry will provide inspiration to many. Here, Lee recalls one of the moments when he came up against Akhtar on a fast Docklands Stadium wicket in Melbourne during Pakistan’s ODI series against Australia in 2002.
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Comments (23) Closed
ignorant_ppl_anny_me
Jul 15, 2012 11:49pm
In my short life (30 yrs), I have not seen a better sight in cricket than Shoaib running in and I think no one will ever beat that!
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NISHANT
Jul 19, 2012 02:21pm
Well this is just rubbish coz team like aus usually don;t need that there 8th or 9th down batter to bat & shoaib & lee both known for thier bowling & if u look at the record u w'll find shoabi is btter than lee & mind u shoaib bowls much on the flat subcontinent pitches
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Risih
Jul 16, 2012 10:51am
Exactly, the game can do without chuckers. Guys like Murali to Akhtar became the player they are inspite of being chuckers due to Indian boards influence over ICC in lieu of PCB to Sri Lankan's board total support. BCCI is actually bad for the game.
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mayank
Jul 16, 2012 02:50am
who is we?? Don't opine on all Indians' behalf.
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Mayank
Jul 16, 2012 02:56am
Comparing Lee and Akhtar is like comparing oranges and apples. Even though both are fruits (pace bowlers), there's a big difference in their approaches towards the game. Lee always took the match in the right spirit of the game and was a team man.
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Taimoor
Jul 17, 2012 05:19pm
Shoaib was very dangerous than Lee, although lee was quick and consistent but good batsman's didn't fear to face Lee than Akhtar. Shoaib bouncers were awesome
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Syed W. Ali
Jul 16, 2012 02:33pm
Well said. Shoaib was all about bowling the fastest ball and couldn't bat at all. Lee both bowled and batted well. Lee is leaving the game playing well. Shoaib left the game because he really ran out of steam where he could barely finish his quota of ten overs. Lee certainly gave more to the fans to rave about than Shoaib.
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khan
Jul 15, 2012 08:53am
shoaib were more dangerouse than lee
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abdul
Jul 15, 2012 02:51pm
they both were best in their era but now its all over.
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ahmed
Jul 15, 2012 12:52pm
At the end of the day, both great players have praise and respect for each other. That is how one shall remember them as true great giant cricketers of their times. Cricket Wins.
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indian
Jul 14, 2012 05:36pm
it is a shame that Akhtar is not in ipl. we love akhtar.
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U.E. Hayyat
Jul 15, 2012 03:21pm
In Cricket the team with a better pace attack would mostly be on top. 80s belonged to West Indies, 90s was when Pakistan was shinning and for a long time now it's Australia with a real pace attack. Fast bowlers bring the flare into the Sport and players like Shoaib and Lee bring the excitement which is much needed.
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salman
Jul 16, 2012 05:10am
funny..there's always one of these trouble makers around..chill man
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Shazia Shah
Jul 16, 2012 06:07am
I agreed. Shoaib were most dangerouse than Lee. but they were Best, now noboday can take place of them.
Shoaib has to played more, we want to see him in action.
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Umer
Jul 16, 2012 06:51am
Shoib brought the real thrill in the cricket world...The besy thing which i really like about him, he never let down him self in front of PCB for thier unethical decision.I must say he z so exuberant, energized and enthusiastic sports man..We will really Miss u Shaoib Bhaiiii
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sanjay
Jul 16, 2012 05:38pm
both of them were great fast bowlers for sure. I thik Brett Lee was slightly more accurate than Shoaib but shoib was slightly more faster than brett lee , however both were good, another thing is brett lee was a better batsman than shoaib i think also.
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Saad
Jul 17, 2012 04:24pm
Being a fast bowler myself, i love both of them equally...my ideal is shoaibi and my bowling style is that of lee ;) .. Both were equally entertaining and are an inspiration for many of us
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Aastish
Jul 17, 2012 02:47pm
Now reading this discussion makes me sad, Shoaib was indeed a rare talent, a very special talent, he might not have had the mannerisms or etiquette of a royal prince but nobody has been able to bowl as fast in the history of the game. This is a fact. Everyone has their own speciality and we should acknowledge that saying Dravid cannot hit like Gayle or Gayle cannot defend like Dravid is unfair. Similarly, these pacemen (Lee and Akhtar) have gone through a lot injuries and pains to make whatever little contribution they could to the game. Saying Shoaib ran out of steam is also unfair, name me a bowler who has bowled as fast, i am talking about 160 not 145 here, and still played the number of tests Shoaib and Lee played.
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lida
Jul 17, 2012 03:52pm
what accent has shoaib talking in???
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MKK
Jul 17, 2012 11:57am
right i think he was pre maturely retired. There had always been some thirll if he were playing in team
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Mudassir Hussain
Jul 17, 2012 05:18am
Brett Lee was more consistent than Shoaib and bit better as well when it comes to cricketing skills. Shoaib Akhtar could have done wonders had he shown some real seriousness towards this game of gentlemen.
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Immi
Jul 17, 2012 01:59pm
When we say they were both greats, we talk about their cricketing skills and performances and off the field issues, etc. Becoming the fastest bowler when at the age of 5, he could not even stand up on his feet, itself is a big achievement. Haven't u seen matches where Akhter destroyed world's top batting line ups?
Why do ppl have to be so close minded? You don't have to like him as a person but admit that he was the most lethal bowler when fit (sometimes even when he was not fully fit).
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@tangoscott
Jul 18, 2012 03:53am
yes very true, is how i feel too.
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