Former Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara has picked former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan and Pakistan great Akram, as toughest bowlers he ever faced in his career.
Sangakkara called Akram a ‘nightmare’ to face while he described Zaheer as ‘extremely difficult’. Sangakkara and Zaheer came up against each other on several occasions in their career including the 2011 ODI World Cup final – where India defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in a thrilling encounter to lift the trophy.
“Wasim Akram was a nightmare to face. Zaheer Khan, I faced many times and was extremely difficult also,” Sangakkara told Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)’s official website.
Sangakkara, who played against the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting, named two West Indies greats as his favourite batsmen of all-time. The former wicket-keeper batsman said Sir Viv Richards used to be his favourite until Brian Lara arrived and went to establish himself as one of the best batsmen of all-time.
“It was Sir Viv Richards up until Brian Lara came around – since then they shared an equal importance on my list,” said Sangakkara.
