Would never beat Harbhajan, says Shoaib

Former Pakistan pacer admits that the incident did take place, but it was all in good humour

Former Pakistan fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar has laughed off claims by Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh that he and Yuvraj Singh were once beaten up by the 41-year-old.

The former pacer admitted that the incident did take place, but it was all in good humour and they were just ‘horsing around’.

“I think he has made a big deal of it,” he said.

“Yes, it did happen during 2004 when we were playing a Test in Rawalpindi, but it was nothing serious and all fun.



“Basically, we were horsing around and doing some arm wrestling and that is all, but no, Harbhajan and Yuvraj are my younger brothers, there is no question of beating them up,” he said.

Akhtar also said that any rivalry with Indian players was always on the field and not off it. “The duo got along well with me and we used to have dinner together,” he said. “We have been good friends so how can I beat them.”



Earlier, Harbhajan Singh had revealed that once Shoaib Akhtar thrashed him and Yuvraj Singh in a hotel room.

“Shoaib once threatened me he would come to my room and beat me,” said Harbhajan.



“I told him ‘come, let’s see who beats whom’. I was really scared. He is a great hulk. He once bashed me and Yuvi (Yuvraj Singh) inside a room. Since he was heavy, it was difficult to catch him.”

However, the off-spinner had also said that despite both on-field and off-field spats between him and Akhtar, both were relatively close to one another.

Shoaib Akhtar was quoted by Press Trust of India