Always knew Yuvraj would be a match winner, asserts Shoaib Akhtar

Yuvraj Singh has been one of the stars of modern Indian cricket ever since he made his debut for India at the 2000 ICC Champions Trophy which was being held in Nairobi. The Punjab-born cricketer is one of the greatest limited over players to play for India with a tally of 8,701 runs and 111 wickets to his name in ODIs and 1,177 runs and 28 wickets in the T20I format. 

Former Pakistan pacer and a legend of the game, Shoaib Akhtar, heaped praise on the retiring Indian calling the latter as a true ‘match-winner’ for the Indian team.

"I think he was a great friend, great cricketer and also a very patriotic Indian who loved winning games. I always knew he would be a match winner.

"In my first encounter against Yuvraj Singh in 2003 at the Centurion cricket ground, Singh played a beautiful knock. I felt that left-handed Indian batsman as elegant as Yuvraj are to be found anymore. I come from the same batch of players such as Bhajji, Yuvi and Virender Sehwag, albeit I’m a bit senior," Akhtar said on his Youtube channel.

In the match against England at the 2007 World T20 in South Africa, Yuvraj famously hit six sixes in one over bowled by Stuart Broad. This feat was performed only three times previously in any form of senior cricket, and never in an international match between two Test cricket teams. 

Akhtar, who played 163 ODIs for Pakistan and picked up 247 wickets, said that Yuvraj will always be remembered for his role in India’s wins at the 2007 & 2011 World Cups.

"Yuvraj Singh has done wonders in the 2011 World Cup. He will be remembered for years to come for his performances in 2011 and he played an integral part in India winning the World Cup. Along with that, Yuvraj will also be remembered for the six-sixes that he struck off Chris Board at the 2007 T20 World Cup in South Africa. That was something that I had never seen before," Akhtar added.