Shoaib Akhtar claims Imran Nazir was More Talented than Virender Sehwag

Drawing comparisons in any sport is some kind of practice which is done by many. Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar who has had some interesting battles on the field with Virender Sehwag has come up with a name whom he thinks was more talented than the former.

The name is former Pakistan opener Imran Nazir whose career couldn’t flourish much in the international arena.

“I don’t think Sehwag had the talent that Imran Nazir had” Shoaib Akhtar

Making debatable statements is something that Shoaib Akhtar fondly enjoys nowadays. When the world is facing the wrath of COVID-19, Akhtar has found a way to be among the news by making some eyebrow-raising statements.

Praising the talent Imran Nazir possessed, Shoaib Akhtar said while talking to CricketPakistan.com.pk;

“I don’t think Imran Nazir had the brain that Sehwag had. I don’t think Sehwag had the talent that Imran Nazir had. There is no comparison with regards to talent. We tried to contain him a little. When he hit a brutal hundred against India in a match, I asked them to play Imran Nazir consistently but they didn’t listen.”

For Indians, Imran Nazir’s memory is very bleak. They remember him as an opener who made it to the 2007 T20 World Cup and dashed each and every ball in his range.

He had a fabulous strike-rate of 150 in the tournament, but consistency was something which always eluded in his career. The 38-year old has represented Pakistan in 8 Tests, 25 T20Is and 79 ODIs. His last fixture in Pakistan colors came in 2012.

“We could have utilized him brilliantly but we just couldn’t” Shoaib Akhtar on Nazir

The former speedster expressed his grievance on the misuse of a talent like Imran Nazir who had all the shots in his books.

“It is unfortunate that we do not know how to take care of our brands. We could have had a player better than Virender Sehwag in Imran Nazir. He had all the shots while also being a good fielder. We could have utilised him brilliantly but we just couldn’t.”

“Whenever Imran Nazir played well, it was because of Javed Miandad. He would be in the dressing room and trying to get him to play. Whenever he played a bad shot Javed bhai would send him a message in order to keep him focused.”

It would be interesting to see what Virender Sehwag will respond to this statement from the 44-year old.