Akhtar Recalls Bet With Saqlain Over Sachin

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has shared a striking memory from the late 1990s, recalling how he and teammate Saqlain Mushtaq placed a private bet over who would dismiss Sachin Tendulkar during a heated India vs Pakistan series.

The anecdote dates back to Pakistan’s 1998-99 tour of India, a two-Test series remembered for its intensity and dramatic finish.

‘It’s My Turn Now’

Speaking about the rivalry within the team, Akhtar said Saqlain had enjoyed repeated success against Sachin during that period, including in Chennai and Delhi.

According to Akhtar, the two bowlers challenged each other over who would claim Tendulkar’s wicket next.

“When Saqlain had already got him out many times, we made a bet. He said he would get Sachin out again. I said, no, it’s my turn now,” Akhtar recalled.

For Pakistan’s bowling attack at the time, dismissing Sachin was more than a tactical breakthrough — it was a matter of pride.

Playing Through Pain

Akhtar also revealed the physical toll that accompanied that competitive spirit.

He said fluid had to be drained from his knee and that he was taking injections just to remain fit enough to play. He added that Saqlain, too, was battling knee problems during that phase.

According to Akhtar, both bowlers were taking medication and pain relief treatments quietly to ensure they could stay on the field.

The former pacer described the pressure of selection and performance during India-Pakistan contests, saying that injuries could quickly affect a player’s place in the series.

A Series to Remember

The 1998-99 Test series, particularly the Chennai Test, remains one of the most talked-about clashes between the two sides. Sachin Tendulkar’s fourth-innings 136 in Chennai is still remembered as one of his finest knocks, despite India narrowly losing the match.

Akhtar’s recollection sheds light on the internal competitiveness within Pakistan’s attack during that era. It also highlights the physical demands placed on bowlers competing in one of cricket’s most emotionally charged rivalries.

Beyond Nostalgia

While the story may sound like dressing-room folklore, it reflects the mindset of players at the peak of India-Pakistan rivalry — where individual pride, team goals and physical endurance were closely intertwined.

For Akhtar and Saqlain, the contest to dismiss Sachin symbolised more than a wicket. It represented the intensity, ego and endurance that defined a golden period of subcontinental cricket.