Shoaib Akhtar names the best batsman he has bowled to - and it's not Sachin

08/31/2016

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Former Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar has labeled Inzamam-ul-Haq as the most difficult batsman he has bowled to. The 41-year-old, who has played under the captaincy of Inzy, praised his footwork, and how much time he had on his hands to play him despite his lightning pace.

"There were a lot of players in the world (I found difficult to get out) but the most difficult, who I couldn't even get out in the nets, was Inzamam

"I think there was no other player who played me better than him.

"His footwork was quick, he would place himself and be ready to play. He could see the ball earlier than many. I always thought he had an extra second.

"However fast I bowl, he had placed himself where the ball would land," Shoaib said in an interview with Wasim Akram on his talk show The Sportsman, reported Cricket.com.au.

Shoaib, who picked up 178 Test wickets and 247 ODI wickets during his career, also spoke about how he was inspired by the golden generation of Pakistan cricket, when their bowling lineup consisted of legends like Wasim Akram, Imran Khan, and Waqar Younis.

"I wanted to be a fast bowler right from day one. I wanted to bowl fast and I wanted to do this only.

"Inspiration is very important. Heroes are very important. If there are no heroes you cannot get inspired.

"You try to become like them but then you blossom into something else.

"First I saw you (Wasim) and Imran. Then I saw Waqar (Younis) and you bowling.

"Then I thought to myself that if I copy you people, I might become someone,” Akhtar said.