‘Rawalpindi Express’ Akhtar considers Dravid as his biggest ‘nightmare’

Karachi, Aug.20 : Former Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar branded Indian legend Rahul Dravid as his biggest ‘nightmare’ saying that the 42-year-old was the first batsman who could intimidate him.

Speedster Akhtar compared Dravid with former American boxer Muhammad Ali, saying that he could tire a bowler physically and kill him mentally, the Dawn reported.

Akhtar felt that only former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram had the ability to taken on ‘the wall’.

The Rawalpindi Express also lauded the ‘master’ Sachin Tendulkar as a great batsman, and added that he was the one who made Akhtar a star, for which he was grateful.

40-year-old Akhtar made his first Test debut in 1997. The player made headlines in year 1999, when he dismissed Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar off consecutive deliveries in the first match of the Asian Test Championship at Kolkata.

Akhtar, who was the first bowler in the history of cricket to bowl over 100 mph, also holds the World record for remaining not out in 12 successive innings in ODIs (ANI)