In 1987 the 3rd ODI between Pakistan and India in Hyderabad, Wasim Akram hit the Indian opener Kris Srikanth on the eyebrow with a vicious bouncer. Kris Srikanth had to retire hurt, and eventually had to be taken to the hospital for stitches. He did not participate in the rest of the series.
Given that Srikanth made 123 in the previous match, and was touted to be the destroyer of Pakistani bowling prior to this match, the fact suddenly became a popular wincing point for the followers back home. The images of Wasim Akram hitting him on the face suddenly became so popular that they were put in the Khabarnama as the stock opening for the sports section. Every night, someone would actually point out what was happening in the video!
Despite Srikanth eventually becoming the Indian skipper, and participating in many victories for India, he is still most known in Pakistan for being hit by Wasim Akram. Akram on the other hand, started developing the image of the lethal bowler that he actually was.
I still remember the blow, he was shaken after that and I believe that Srikkant was never the same player after that hit, specially against us.
A funny incident related to him happened after couple of years ago when India visited Pakistan in 1989. During a low scoring ODI and a very limited overs ODI, India were chasing a target of less than 100. I don’t clearly remember, but I guess there was a LBW or a cuaght behind appeal against him and the umpire gave him out. I still remember how he acted after that decision. He was like a school kid, doing " cry baby oocchul kood" after that and started complaing that he was not out. In the middle Pakistan players were having fun. I guess they were enjoying him just like we all enjoy ganguly now:cb:
While walking back to the pavillion, srikkant was called by the great Khan who said to him that he can come back and bat again, which was a surprise to every one, considering that this generous action could back fire. Guess what happened on the very first ball he faced??? He got out again:omg:
Only Imran khan, but he is the man because je knew his little son Wasim loves a challenge and he backed him 2 deliver! wow how come i never read about this or no1 on cricinfo doing a piece on this!
Just look at the scorecard.... this was the ODI debut for Sachin Tendulkar (faced 2 balls, caught Akram bowled Waqar for ZERO). I think it was also Saeed Anwar's debut series, and despite being only a 16 over game, he showed enough glimpses of the brilliance to come. I remember watching him and being very, very impressed.
Just two days prior, the match in Peshawar was abandoned and an exhibition match played instead. That match was the one where Tendulkar, when challenged by Abdul Qadir, hit him for something like FOUR SIXES!
^^,,, Waqar also took Sachin's debut wicket when he played his first Test Match at Karachi in 1989.... he took his debut ODI wicket.. Now this is interesting as well.
In that particular Test Series (1989-90) Akram got Srikanth’s wicket on every at bat except one.
I remember Munir Hussain’s comments on last test when Srikanth was caught by Akram , “Poori Series main Srikanth ko out kernay main Waseem Akram ka eik haath tha lekin aaj Waseem Akram nay dono haath use keay”
It was Akram who destroyed Srikanth’s career poor guy never ever scored a test century after that incident ;).
haha
Pretty funny it was.