Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has opened up about the physical toll that playing against India during the peak of their fierce rivalry took on him. In a candid admission, Akhtar shared how he and fellow cricketer Saqlain Mushtaq had to rely on pills and injections to manage the intense knee pain and continue playing during the 1998-99 series between India and Pakistan.

The Struggles on the Field:

Akhtar revealed that both he and Saqlain were suffering from severe knee issues at the time. Akhtar's knees were often swollen with fluid, while Saqlain had already dealt with significant knee damage back in 1996. Despite the pain, both players pushed themselves to perform during the highly competitive series, particularly against India.

"We used to take pills and injections just to play the matches. My knees were always swollen; the area was filled with fluid. His knees had gone in 1996, and mine gave way in 1997," Akhtar admitted. This was during a period when both teams were involved in some of the most heated encounters in cricket, with the India-Pakistan rivalry at its peak.

The Intensity of India-Pakistan Rivalry:

The 1990s and early 2000s marked an era when matches between India and Pakistan were highly competitive. Players like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, and Saqlain Mushtaq lifted their game whenever they faced India. The rivalry brought out the best in the players, with Akhtar often coming face-to-face with iconic Indian batsmen like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. Despite the injuries, Akhtar had a fiery and successful career, and his battles with India became legendary. His speed and aggressive style of bowling kept India’s top-order batsmen on their toes.

Personal Rivalries and Health Struggles:

During the 1998-99 series, Akhtar and Saqlain had a bet about who would dismiss Sachin Tendulkar first. "We used to bet about getting Sachin out. He said he would do it; I said I would. That’s how intense it was," Akhtar recalled. However, despite the personal rivalry, both players were dealing with injuries that required significant medical support to continue playing.

A Glimpse into the Physical and Mental Toll:

Akhtar’s admission shines a light on the extreme lengths players went to for their teams during that era, with players often playing through significant physical discomfort. The intense India-Pakistan rivalry made it all the more challenging, with the pressure to perform not only for national pride but for personal vendettas on the field.

India-Pakistan Rivalry in the 1990s and 2000s:

The India-Pakistan encounters of the late 1990s and early 2000s were marked by intense competition and relentless pressure. Shoaib Akhtar’s remarks underline the physical strain players endured during these high-voltage matches. With national pride at stake, every performance was scrutinized, and the demands on players went far beyond routine bilateral contests.