Inzamam not surprised by Harbhajan's claim regarding Akhtar

Pakistan chief selector said even shaking hands with 40-year-old could've been painful for other players

Pakistan chief selector Inzamamul Haq said that he was not surprised by Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh's claims that former speedster Shoaib Akhtar beat him and Yuvraj Singh up in a hotel room in Rawalpindi during India's tour of Pakistan in 2003-04.

Inzamam, who played with Akhtar for nearly a decade and also captained him between 2004-07, said that the 40-year-old who was famously known as Rawalpindi Express, was a strongly built individual, and even shaking hands with him could’ve been painful for other players. “Shoaib was always very muscular and strong,” said Inzamam. “Even hugging him or shaking hands with him could be painful for other players.”

Earlier, Veteran Indian off-spinner said in a local television show claimed that former Pakistan pacer ‘bashed’ him and his fellow Indian player.

“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.”

The spinner further revealed that despite both on-field and off-field spats between him and Akhtar, both were relatively close to one another.

“Shoaib used to sit with us, eat with us. But maybe since he was too close to us, he used to take us for granted,” he said.

“He challenged me once to hit a six and when I managed to hit one, he was shocked. He then bowled two consecutive bouncers which I evaded. However, after the game, we sat together as if nothing had happened,” he added.

In reply to the 36-year-old’s claims, Akhtar 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.”