[VIDEO] "This spell from Shoaib Akhtar was the fastest I ever faced" : Ricky Ponting

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Got plenty of questions the other day after calling the Flintoff over the best I'd faced.<br><br>This from <a href="https://twitter.com/shoaib100mph?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@shoaib100mph</a> was the fastest spell I'd ever faced and trust me Justin wasn't backing up too far at the other end. <a href="https://t.co/JhhuEwXrAc">pic.twitter.com/JhhuEwXrAc</a></p>— Ricky Ponting AO (@RickyPonting) <a href="https://twitter.com/RickyPonting/status/1250319394720251906?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2020</a></blockquote>
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[Hawkeye]

Shoaib Akhtar.

Absolute legend.

Fastest bowler to walk on planet EARTH.

This was definitely one of the most hostile overs of fast bowling ever.

 

[chacha kashmiri]

More impressed with Moin khan than shoaib akhtar tbh
What a pair of hands

 

[Rana]

The first ball is good enough evidence to get him convicted for attempted murder

 

[sshakir411]

He bowled too short in this spell. Yes it was quick but would have been more effective had he not try to hit Ricky on the head every ball.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Only <a href="https://twitter.com/RickyPonting?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RickyPonting</a> could have played it like this. He was the bravest. <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinLanger8?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JustinLanger8</a> definitely wanted to stay at non striker end. Lol <a href="https://t.co/q8bGCpNsuA">https://t.co/q8bGCpNsuA</a></p>— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) <a href="https://twitter.com/shoaib100mph/status/1250353031352168450?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2020</a></blockquote>
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[Snowflake]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Only <a href="https://twitter.com/RickyPonting?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RickyPonting</a> could have played it like this. He was the bravest. <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinLanger8?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JustinLanger8</a> definitely wanted to stay at non striker end. Lol <a href="https://t.co/q8bGCpNsuA">https://t.co/q8bGCpNsuA</a></p>— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) <a href="https://twitter.com/shoaib100mph/status/1250353031352168450?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Shoaib is so starved for appreciation ) Give him a hint of it and he'll go above and beyond to praise you! First Flintoff and now Ponting. Would be nice to see him keep cool and just say 'Thanks!'

 

[Savak]

This is the greatest impact an individual can speak off. Where the absolute best players of that era talk about and the impact you had on the game. Shane Warne rates Shoaib greater than Waqar who in his view fed of Wasim. Now Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer recall their duels with Shoaib.

 

[Zaz]

This is the greatest impact an individual can speak off. Where the absolute best players of that era talk about and the impact you had on the game. Shane Warne rates Shoaib greater than Waqar who in his view fed of Wasim. Now Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer recall their duels with Shoaib.

The greatest compliment anyone can give you is that you were a great bowler which many say about waqar who played against him from 1989 - 1997

The only thing akhter gets complimented on his pace That doesnt make you a great bowler Big difference

If only akhter had shut up with antics and just bowler more often things couldve been different

 

[Savak]

The greatest compliment anyone can give you is that you were a great bowler which many say about waqar who played against him from 1989 - 1997

The only thing akhter gets complimented on his pace That doesnt make you a great bowler Big difference

If only akhter had shut up with antics and just bowler more often things couldve been different

Look at the teams that Waqar feasted on from 1989-1997, barring West Indies who were in decline and England who were filled with has beens and bunnies, the rest of the teams were filled with bunnies and poor players. I pity Waqar, he doesn't get the adulation that his stats warrant.

 

[AFM]

Ricky still scored a century

 

[Zaz]

Ricky still scored a century

Exactly sums up actors career Plenty of hype and drama very little substance

 

[Xoib]

Look at the teams that Waqar feasted on from 1989-1997, barring West Indies who were in decline and England who were filled with has beens and bunnies, the rest of the teams were filled with bunnies and poor players. I pity Waqar, he doesn't get the adulation that his stats warrant.

Nah waqar was fine did well against all except India who he did not play in his prime 90-96 so Aus was his only black mark.

 

[Savak]

Exactly sums up actors career Plenty of hype and drama very little substance

Bowling average of 25 in a batsmen friendly era, numerous wickets of Ponting, Gilchrist, Hayden, Flemming, Tendulkar undisputed all time greats compared to the players who came in the 90's. Being praised repeatedly by the players from the invincible Australia side of 1999 to 2007.

If this is plenty of hype, lack of substance then what is plenty of substance. I can tell you what lacks substance ie Waqars prime from 1989 to 1996 when batsmen were poor compared to 2000 onwards and when reverse swing was not a well known art

 

[Hawkeye]

The greatest compliment anyone can give you is that you were a great bowler which many say about waqar who played against him from 1989 - 1997

The only thing akhter gets complimented on his pace That doesnt make you a great bowler Big difference

If only akhter had shut up with antics and just bowler more often things couldve been different

Wow.

How clueless - Shoaib Akhtar isn't a great? Do you have any freaking idea about his great bowling record?

It's even better than Michael Holding (who played in an absolute bowler-friendly era, could bowl 6 yorkers, no helmets etc.).

Shameful post really.

 

[Kroll]

Shoaib was pure box office. Nowadays we have to watch Imran Khan snr revving it up in Australia.

 

[shamaan]

What a bowler lighting speed

 

[Zaz]

Wow.

How clueless - Shoaib Akhtar isn't a great? Do you have any freaking idea about his great bowling record?

It's even better than Michael Holding (who played in an absolute bowler-friendly era, could bowl 6 yorkers, no helmets etc.).

Shameful post really.

The guy missed more games than he played Yes he had all the tools of a great bowler but just didnt play enough

He was very good on the pitch In between all the attitude, injuries, drugs, bans, stds, fights and tampering issues

A great? Please Go look up the word

 

[Usman]

Akther was a phenomenal bowler but one who was totally unreliable. His injury record was laughable. Yes some of that was down to the strain on his body but much more was down to his poor attitude and fitness. At one stage he was even caught taking banned substances.

His captain Inzi was a total team player but Shoaib just was not. It was a shame, as more often than not, we had the atrocious Mohammed Sami leading the attack whilst Shoaib pulled out for one reason or another. For someone with so much talent, it really was a shame that he had so little commitment.

 

[Last Monetarist]

This is one of the most overrated spells that I have ever seen, it might have been quick but he never looked like getting Ponting out, who went on to score 197. The very definition of a bowler getting carried away at the WACA by bowling innocuously short. All hype, no substance.

 

[sweep_shot]

Shoaib at his peak was a beast.

One of a kind.

 

[Danyaalr01]

Wow.

How clueless - Shoaib Akhtar isn't a great? Do you have any freaking idea about his great bowling record?

It's even better than Michael Holding (who played in an absolute bowler-friendly era, could bowl 6 yorkers, no helmets etc.).

Shameful post really.

I mean if you can bowl 6 yorkers in an over, you are pretty great.

 

[angrypathan]

Too bad Ponting scored 197 and we got hammered. In the context of the match it was a quick but awful spell that allowed Ponting and Langer to build a massive partnership because they didn't have to worry about being bowled or LBW

 

[Hawkeye]

I mean if you can bowl 6 yorkers in an over, you are pretty great.

Haha, could bowl 6 bouncers*.

 

[Suleiman]

This is my fear in life. Having an insane amount of talent in something and not living up to that potential at the end of my life span vs being talentless and not achieving in that same field.

He got carried away with fame, could have been a true all time great.

 

[jeetu]

Ponting was very lucky to survive brutal bouncer of Sami without helmet.

 

[silentkiller187]

This sums up shoaib akhtars career in a nut shell, so much praise from great batsmen of the era, plenty talking aboult how fast he was, dangerous etc, but the main ingredient has always been missing with Shoaib, and that is consistency. Theres too much of this one over here one ball there, and not enough match winning performances.

 

[Rana]

Ponting was very lucky to survive brutal bouncer of Sami without helmet.

You don’t want to pick a fight with punter. The guy is an absolute pit bull!

 

[shamaan]

Akhtar was lighting had the pace but wasnt consistent enough most batesman feared him

 

[Pakhs]

He did not play enough that was the only issue otherwise ATG level bowler and at his peak biggest box office hit.

 

[AFM]

Ponting scored 197 in that innings.

Shoaib is one of my favourite ever bowlers. In fact, it was him who got me into seriously watching and following cricket. But even I know that he was not a great. I've seen him lose more matches for Pakistan than win them. He had great moments, but could never sustain them.

 

[Saj]

Akhtar was lethal when in the mood, sadly that mood was not around nowhere enough times as it should have been.

 

[Bigboii]

Ponting scored 197 in that innings.

Shoaib is one of my favourite ever bowlers. In fact, it was him who got me into seriously watching and following cricket. But even I know that he was not a great. I've seen him lose more matches for Pakistan than win them. He had great moments, but could never sustain them.

Wahab riaz type of bowler?

 

[Zaz]

Wahab riaz type of bowler?

He was much much better than wahab whos a good 2 levels below him

Akhter was as good as any fast bowler ever when on the pitch fit and focussed

Sadly though those times were few and far between mainly down to his poor attitude and controversies He shouldve played much more than he did

 

[angrypathan]

Wahab riaz type of bowler?

Wahab has hardly ever won us a game on his own. Even on the best of days he's hardly world class. Shoaib has won many games almost single handedly and on a good day was more destructive than even some ATGs

 

[tyron_woodley]

as much as I would have loved to see shoaib take ricky head off, I truly respect Ricky for his grit and determination to never give up. He is a tough son of a b.

 

[Hawkeye]

This sums up shoaib akhtars career in a nut shell, so much praise from great batsmen of the era, plenty talking aboult how fast he was, dangerous etc, but the main ingredient has always been missing with Shoaib, and that is consistency. Theres too much of this one over here one ball there, and not enough match winning performances.

He has ATG-esque performances and stats. Averaging low/mid 20s.

Don't post stuff you have no clue about.

I'm amazed at the hate a GREAT bowler like Shoaib Akhtar is getting from some people here, who clearly don't know he has as good performances as Michael Holding.

 

[Hawkeye]

Akhtar was lethal when in the mood, sadly that mood was not around nowhere enough times as it should have been.

Really.

Average of 24 and 25 in ODIs/Tests.

A strike rate of 31 and 45 in ODIs/Tests.

12 5-wicket hauls in Tests (Michael Holding had 13).
4 5-wicket hauls in ODIs (Holding has 1).

All that indicates how great he was. Even better than Michael Holding's performances (who bowled in an era with no helmets, could bowl 6 bouncers, more bowler-friendly conditions).


About time Shoaib Akhtar starts getting the respect he deserves and commands almost everywhere as a great bowler.

 

[Zaz]

Really.

Average of 24 and 25 in ODIs/Tests.

A strike rate of 31 and 45 in ODIs/Tests.

12 5-wicket hauls in Tests (Michael Holding had 13).
4 5-wicket hauls in ODIs (Holding has 1).

All that indicates how great he was. Even better than Michael Holding's performances (who bowled in an era with no helmets, could bowl 6 bouncers, more bowler-friendly conditions).


About time Shoaib Akhtar starts getting the respect he deserves and commands almost everywhere as a great bowler.

You can keep on saying hes one of the greatest ever but that doesnt mean he is

The fact he took only 170 odd test wickets tell you all you need to know When waqar wasim have twice as many Bottom line He didnt play enough for pakistan

 

[Savak]

You can keep on saying hes one of the greatest ever but that doesnt mean he is

The fact he took only 170 odd test wickets tell you all you need to know When waqar wasim have twice as many Bottom line He didnt play enough for pakistan

Kaneria has 261 test wickets but with a bowling average of 35. So because he has 261 test wickets at a lousy average, he is greater than Shoaib who has fewer wickets but at a superior average?

 

[wrongun]

Too bad Ponting scored 197 and we got hammered. In the context of the match it was a quick but awful spell that allowed Ponting and Langer to build a massive partnership because they didn't have to worry about being bowled or LBW

Shaoib in a nutshell.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Kaneria has 261 test wickets but with a bowling average of 35. So because he has 261 test wickets at a lousy average, he is greater than Shoaib who has fewer wickets but at a superior average?

lol exactly. Shoaib is close to an ATG level player. he is better than waqar. Personally for me there are very few bowlers I would pick over peak shoaib.

shoaib> Gillespie, morkel, philander ( biggest stat fraud) , broad, tough etc.

 

[silentkiller187]

He has ATG-esque performances and stats. Averaging low/mid 20s.

Don't post stuff you have no clue about.

I'm amazed at the hate a GREAT bowler like Shoaib Akhtar is getting from some people here, who clearly don't know he has as good performances as Michael Holding.

How many wickets did he end up with? i can show you a whole list of bowlers who look good on paper, and statistically but like i said wheres the consistency. He played 12 years and averaged 3 test matches a year? hardly ATG numbers, only 3 times he bowled over 30 overs in an innings again i would not consider this ATG-esque. 178 test wickets in a 12 year career span, again ATG stats? I am not denying shoaib was a good bowler but if you read my comments the above will clarify the question around his consistency, so i suggest you go back and re look at his career rather than criticizing someone elses opinion.

 

[Hawkeye]

You can keep on saying hes one of the greatest ever but that doesnt mean he is

The fact he took only 170 odd test wickets tell you all you need to know When waqar wasim have twice as many Bottom line He didnt play enough for pakistan

He's not Wasim-like great, but still as great as Michael Holding is or even a level above, as Akhtar played in a much tougher bowling era.

How many wickets did he end up with? i can show you a whole list of bowlers who look good on paper, and statistically but like i said wheres the consistency. He played 12 years and averaged 3 test matches a year? hardly ATG numbers, only 3 times he bowled over 30 overs in an innings again i would not consider this ATG-esque. 178 test wickets in a 12 year career span, again ATG stats? I am not denying shoaib was a good bowler but if you read my comments the above will clarify the question around his consistency, so i suggest you go back and re look at his career rather than criticizing someone elses opinion.

More Test+ODI wickets than Michael Holding.

He's better than Holding (who played in an absolute bowler-friendly era, no helmets, 6 bouncers allowed, green/underprepared wickets).

So, that does make him one of the greats.

 

[Zaz]

Kaneria has 261 test wickets but with a bowling average of 35. So because he has 261 test wickets at a lousy average, he is greater than Shoaib who has fewer wickets but at a superior average?

Name me another modern day great who has below 200 test wickets please?

 

[Zaz]

He's not Wasim-like great, but still as great as Michael Holding is or even a level above, as Akhtar played in a much tougher bowling era.




More Test+ODI wickets than Michael Holding.

He's better than Holding (who played in an absolute bowler-friendly era, no helmets, 6 bouncers allowed, green/underprepared wickets).

So, that does make him one of the greats.

Hes not better than holding, he doesnt have more test wickets than holding He has 40% less Mike has close to 250 test wickets Big difference

You cant compare odis as the format was diff back in the 70s and 80s and they hardly played odis as much in that era anyway

178 test wickets is NOT one of the very best

 

[Saj]

Really.

Average of 24 and 25 in ODIs/Tests.

A strike rate of 31 and 45 in ODIs/Tests.

12 5-wicket hauls in Tests (Michael Holding had 13).
4 5-wicket hauls in ODIs (Holding has 1).

All that indicates how great he was. Even better than Michael Holding's performances (who bowled in an era with no helmets, could bowl 6 bouncers, more bowler-friendly conditions).


About time Shoaib Akhtar starts getting the respect he deserves and commands almost everywhere as a great bowler.

Akhtar missed more Test matches than he actually played in.

Yes he had knee problems, but people tend to forget all the drama and baggage that he brought.

 

[Savak]

Lol, this thread is about a tribute by ponting to Shoaib and as usual the usual Akhtar hate crew have tried to hijack this thread

 

[silentkiller187]

He's not Wasim-like great, but still as great as Michael Holding is or even a level above, as Akhtar played in a much tougher bowling era.




More Test+ODI wickets than Michael Holding.

He's better than Holding (who played in an absolute bowler-friendly era, no helmets, 6 bouncers allowed, green/underprepared wickets).

So, that does make him one of the greats.

I don’t care about Holding, 3 test matches on average a year for 12 years is the definition of inconsistency, read the post before jumping to conclusions and making yourself look stupid. I’m not questioning his ability or potential.

 

[Zaz]

Lol, this thread is about a tribute by ponting to Shoaib and as usual the usual Akhtar hate crew have tried to hijack this thread

Its a tribute to the fastest spell ponting faced

Nowhere does he say akhter was the greatest fast bowler he faced or the best pakistani pace bowler ever etc etc

So stick to the topic and people wont have an issue But if your gonna make the above comments then ppers will counter this