Few rivals in sport create the same passion as an indication-pacific cricket match. Each competition is played under an unforgivable reflector and the 2010 Asian Cup in Dambulle was no exception. The group clash on 19 June fell to the finals, but for the result it is remembered equally for the fiery confrontation between Shaaib Akhtar and Harbhajan Singh.
Pakistan, first launching, built 267, anchored a beautiful 74 Salman Butt and undefeated half a century from Kamr Akmal. India’s answer was stable, but tense, with Gautam Gambhir provided support for the MS Dhoni Foundation and support before being chased in the final stages. When Ravindra fell, India still required 49 out of 29 balls. Harbhajan Singh joined Suresh Raina to the fold and the equation soon narrowed to 16 of the last two breaks.
49. Over, tilted by achtar, lit a spark. Raina launched a huge six, followed by fast runs before Harbhajan faced the last delivery. The sharp ejector saw him missing the move, and Akhtar attacked the pitch and released the words in the direction of Indian spinner. Harbhajan replied in kind and forced the referee Billy the doctr to hit. The duel became personal.
The competition has reached its Crescendo in the final. When Raina ran out and just Kumar tried a few runs, Harbhajan was left with three desired two balls. On the fifth delivery of Mohammad Amira hit purely through the middle goal for six, closed victory with three goals with one ball to save. The celebration was visceral – a helmet, raised arms, and rolled directly to Akhtar to Third Man. Pakistani stimulator, unforeseen, made in his fingers and turned away.
The drama was transferred to the exchanges after the match. “I went looking for Harbhajan Singh in the hotel room to fight him,” Akhtar later admitted video calls in the Helo app. “She eats with us, wanders with us in Lahore, culture is similar to us, is he a pandjab brother and yet he is suffering from us badly?
Harbhajan remembered it differently. “Shoaib once threatened to come to my room and beat me. I said to him,” Come, let’s see who is beating. “I was really terrified.
Their exchanges reappeared a few years later during the cricket masters Legends League. Akhtar remembered, “Bowling was so good in Faisalabad, then I hit him with two six!” To which Harbhajan replied, “I didn’t tell you anything when you hit the two sixs. But when I hit six against you, you said so many things!” Akhtar faced, “I should tell everyone what you said? You actually started it,” Just for Harbhajan to come back: “I didn’t start. He just got angry as he could hit me with me!” Barter ended with Harbhajan joking: “When he can’t win words, he starts to beat people.”
– ends
Published:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
3 September 2025
