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Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag sparked controversy with his comments in a talk show by accusing Shoaib Akhtar of ‘chucking’. Known for his no-filter comments, Sehwag claimed that even Akhtar knew that 'he was chucking'. Responding to Sehwag's comments, Akhtar has said that he should refrain from making such remarks.
"I would request Sehwag to not pass such comments. If Sehwag knows more than ICC, he is entitled to his opinion. My statement to Sehwag will be a bit different. I feel he was one of the greatest match-winners India has ever produced. He was a team man and among the greatest openers to have ever played for India. At the moment, I am at that stage and age where I'm careful while dishing out my opinions. I don't want to pass a comment or insult any player who has played on the national level," the former speedster told Sportskeeda.
He called the 43-year-old a 'close friend' and said that he is yet to watch the interview. The Rawalpindi Express also urged other cricketers to not make sensational remarks which may be taken out of proportion in the ‘age of social media’.
“I haven't seen the interview. Sehwag is a close friend but I don't know if he has commented jokingly or if he is being serious.”
"Cricketers should make sure their statements don't disturb the harmony between India and Pakistan. If there's a scope for improvement in relations between the two countries, I should be able to play that bridge. I request Sehwag to be mindful while making such statements in the age of social media," Akhtar further added.
However, Sehwag lauded Akhtar’s unpredictability and said that he was harder to read than former Australian speedster Brett Lee.
"Brett Lee's hand came down straight, so it was easy to pick the ball. But with Shoaib, you could never guess where the hand and the ball will come from," Sehwag said on the third episode of 'Home of Heroes' on Sports 18.
