Pakistan fast bowler Asad Akhtar came into limelight after he played a massive no-ball in the National T20 Cup. On Saturday, March 14, the right-arm pacer conceded 21 runs in a single over played by Karachi Blues against Lahore Blues at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium, Peshawar.
Akhtar bowled two runs and two no-balls in the over, but it was one delivery in particular that grabbed the headlines. His front leg was nowhere near the bowling crease – in fact the back leg seemed closer to the line than the front leg.
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The delivery quickly drew comparisons from fans to Mohammad Amir’s infamous no-ball against England during the 2010 spot-fixing scandal at Lord’s. However, if we compare the two deliveries, Akhtar’s no-ball seemed even bigger than the one bowled by Amir.
Akhtar is still inexperienced at the highest level, having only made his debut earlier this year. In five T20 matches so far, he has taken three wickets at an economy rate of 9.14.
In the ongoing National T20 Cup, he managed just one wicket in two matches, conceding runs at an economy rate of 11.25.
DID ASAD AKHTER PASS KARACHI?
In the end, Akhtar’s expensive over didn’t hurt the Karachi Blues, who still cruised to a 57-run win on Saturday. Jahandad Khan and Shahnawaz Dahani took four wickets each as Karachi bowled out Lahore Blues for 149 in 17.3 overs while defending 206.
Earlier, after being asked to bat first, Karachi Blues were posted 206 for three. Saad Baig led the charge with an unbeaten 72 off 37 balls, hitting seven fours and four sixes. He was well supported by Ahsan Ali, Shah Raza Naqvi and Usman Rahim who chipped in with 39, 30 and 33 respectively.
Jahandad and Dahani then sealed victory with the ball to help Karachi Blues climb to fourth in Group B with four points and a net rate of -0.126.
– The end
Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
March 16, 2026 7:54 PM IST
