Brett Lee relives experience of facing Shoaib Akhtar

Australian recounts how former Pakistani pacer yorked him

When Shoaib Akhtar and Brett Lee — two of the world’s quickest pacers — were on the field against each other, the spectacle rapidly changed from polite disinterest to razor-sharp focus. The charisma that both players inspired was second to none.

When asked if he was scared of any bowlers, Lee said: “Everyone, even the spinners. I actually worked out in the last three years as a cricketer that when I open my eyes [while] batting, it is easier.”

He then went on to recount his experience of facing Akhtar. “I was playing against Pakistan and Akhtar, and me and him didn’t get along very well,” explained Lee. “So I am out batting and I am taking my center-mark and I am up there and I am sweating and I am nervous. And there is Shoaib at about 75 meters back. He is looking at me and he is going (points at forehead) ‘I’m gonna kill you’.”

He continued: “So I am tapping and he is running in; his black hairs are flying and he is steaming in. I watch the ball, its hit me straight on the foot. I appealed to the umpire ‘how is that, that is got to be out surely’. And you know what happened? That silly Australian umpire said not out.”

Lee was a fierce competitor: Akhtar

Akhtar, while commenting on Lee's retirement from all forms of cricket, had said in 2012 that the Australian was a 'fierce competitor'.

"Lee was a fierce competitor and became an identity for express bowling with his passion and love for the game and for fast bowling," Akhtar, who retired in 2011 after a career plagued by injury and controversy, had told AFP.

Akhtar had praised Lee's services to cricket as a fast-bowler.

"Friday was a sad day for international cricket because a bowler with express pace has retired, someone who was loved by the fans around the world, and he will be missed," Akhtar had said.

"Lee gave everything to cricket and was a true Australian: fierce and battle-hardened. He was always willing to bowl and willing to bowl fast and like all the fast bowlers had injuries, which is part and parcel of fast bowling."

Former Pakistani pacer had also said that Lee's retirement meant more comfort for the batsmen.

"Cricket had very few express pace bowlers and now after the retirement of Lee we don't have any bowler who can bowl 99 mph and the terror on the batsmen will be less," said Akhtar.

Here is the how Lee explained his experience of facing Shoaib

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Akhtar holds the record for bowling the fastest recorded ball in the history of cricket. He achieved that feat during a World Cup match at New Lands while bowling a maiden to Nick Knight of England.

Here is the 100.2 mph delivery Shoaib bowled to Knight