Srinagar, June 2: Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has lashed out former cricketers who have been criticising Virat Kohli and termed former India skipper as greater of all time.
Shoaib Akhtar also wished that Virat Kohli go on to score 110 International centuries to cement his place as greatest of all time.
Speaking about Virat Kohli and the unfair criticism surrounding him, Akhtar said:
“Why do you have to shame yourself in front of the media by talking rubbish. There are kids listening to you. Respect Virat Kohli. I as a Pakistani am saying that he is the greatest player of all time. I want him to score 110 centuries, that is something I have told him before,” Akhtar said.
Virat Kohli has been struggling to regain form since 2019 and he carried his poor run into the IPL 2022 where the batter only managed 341 in 16 games at a shocking average of 22.73.
Former cricketers including the previous head coach of the Indian cricket team, Ravi Shastri, have all advised Virat Kohli to take a break from the game as his dip in form might directly be related to the excessive cricket the 33-year-old has played in recent times.
The world’s fastest bowler claimed that all the people who are currently criticizing Virat Kohli should take a page out of Sachin Tendulkar’s book, who has always been a humble and down-to-earth person.
“Sachin is the greatest and humblest guy ever. I really adore him when it comes to his behavior. He respects people a lot while speaking. Everyone should learn from him,” Akhtar said.
