Virender Sehwag says Shoaib Akhtar’s bowling action ‘illegal’

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag declared the bowling action of former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar “illegal.”

Speaking on an Indian digital broadcast “Home of Heroes”, Sehwag said Shoaib’s bowling is illegal and claimed he used to jerk his elbow during bowling.

The Indian cricketer said Shoaib knew he was jerking off his elbow, and he knew he was throwing up, too.

Talking about the resemblance between Shoaib and former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee, the 43-year-old said Lee was simpler to choose from, but Akhtar’s arm was harder to evaluate.

Why would the ICC ban it differently? Brett Lee’s hand descended straight down, so it was easy to choose the ball. But with Shoaib, it is impossible to guess where the hand and the ball will come from.

I was never afraid to face Brett Lee, but with Shoaib, I couldn’t trust what he would do if I hit him twice in the closing. Maybe a beamer or a yorker squashing his toes,” he said.