Karachi: Ricky Ponting, regarded as one of the best batsmen in world cricket, has called former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar’s spell as the fastest he ever faced.
Former Australian, the other day called Andrew Flintoff over in 2005 at Edgbaston as the best he had faced in his illustrious career but the spell from Akhtar in 1999 at Perth was the fastest he faced and even his batting partner Justin Langer does not want to face Akhtar.
“Got plenty of questions the other day after calling the [Andrew] Flintoff over the best I’d faced. This from Shoaib Akhtar was the fastest spell I’d ever faced and trust me Justin wasn’t backing up too far at the other end,” he wrote on Twitter.
Got plenty of questions the other day after calling the Flintoff over the best I'd faced.
This from @shoaib100mph was the fastest spell I'd ever faced and trust me Justin wasn't backing up too far at the other end. pic.twitter.com/JhhuEwXrAc
— Ricky Ponting AO (@RickyPonting) April 15, 2020
However, Akhtar praised Ponting that only the batsman like him had the confidence to play that spell.
“Only Ricky Ponting could have played it like this. He was the bravest. Justin Langer definitely wanted to stay at non-striker end. Lol,” He replied.
Only @RickyPonting could have played it like this. He was the bravest. @JustinLanger8 definitely wanted to stay at non striker end. Lol https://t.co/q8bGCpNsuA
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) April 15, 2020
Ponting scored a brilliant 197 as he and Langer (144) combined added a 327-run partnership. Australia defeated Pakistan by an innings and 20 runs in that match.
