Shoaib Akhtar and Sachin Tendulkar (Source:X)
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has made a shocking revelation about his playing days, admitting that he secretly used banned pills and injections to stay fit during Pakistan'S 1998-99 tour of India.
The former speedster said that pressure to perform forced him and fellow spinner Saqlain Mushtaq to hide their injuries and continue playing, even if it meant fooling senior players and the PCB.
Shoaib Akhtar confesses to doping
Speaking on live television, Shoaib Akhtar said that both he and Saqlain were struggling with serious knee problems during the high-profile tour. However, they feared losing their place in the team if their injuries were exposed.
According to Akhtar, the intense competition and expectations left them with little choice.
"Saqlain and I had a bet on who would get Sachin's wicket during Pakistan's 1998–99 India tour. Both our knees had given up on us. We were secretly taking banned pills and injections just to keep ourselves going."
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Akhtar explained that the dressing room environment at the time was unforgiving. Senior players, he claimed, would not have tolerated signs of weakness.
"If the seniors had found out, they would have dropped Saqlain, and in my case, I was already under constant pressure. They were just waiting for a reason to get rid of me. So we did everything quietly just to stay on the field.”
Shoaib Akhtar, also known as the Rawalpindi Express, known for his fiery pace and aggressive personality, admitted that the fear of being sidelined led them to take risky decisions.
Has PCB ever banned Shoaib Akhtar from Cricket?
It is important to note that this is not the first time Shoaib Akhtar’s name has been linked with a doping controversy. In 2006, the PCB suspended him and Mohammad Asif after both tested positive for the banned substance Nandrolone.
Following the failed tests, the board withdrew the pair from the ICC Champions Trophy that year. Akhtar was unable to clear his name before the PCB's Anti-Doping Committee.
Shoaib Akhtar criticised Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya
Speaking on Tapmad, Akhtar also criticised the current Indian bowling attack after India's heavy defeat to South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash in Ahmedabad. He took aim at Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube, saying they lacked the pace and intent required at the highest level.
"Indian bowling has been exposed. If you look at Varun, whose strength is bowling at 97-98 kmph, he was clocking 94. And when he came into the attack, he was hit for a no-look six by Dewald Brevis. Indian bowling got exposed today. Hardik and Shivam Dube were bowling at around 120 kmph."
"It’s not as if they are Malcolm Marshall, someone who would intimidate you. If you deploy them in the death overs, such a counterattack from the Proteas is inevitable. Pandya gave away 45 runs today," he added.
Talking about Hardik Pandya's performance so far in the T20 World Cup 2026, the star player has made 105 runs in 5 innings at a strike rate of 143.84.
With the ball, he has scalped 5 wickets in the same number of innings at an economy rate of 8.67. Shivam Dube has played 5 innings and made 158 runs at a strike-rate of 154.90.
Suryakumar Yadav-led India will next play against Zimbabwe on February 26 at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium.
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