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‘MS Dhoni Saved Me From Getting Banned’ - Kamran Akmal Recalls an Interesting Incident

image-lljcal28Kamran Akmal in a heated exchange with Ishant Sharma in 2012 (BCCI)

Pakistan's former keeper-batter Kamran Akmal recently narrated how MS Dhoni's calmness saved him from getting banned and penalised.

The former cricketer was part of the Pakistan team that toured India in December 2012. In one of the matches of the tour against hosts India, Akmal was involved in a heated exchange with pacer Ishant Sharma. 

The wicketkeeper claimed that just as his altercation with Sharma was about to embroil further, the situation was settled down by then-Indian captain MS Dhoni along with Suresh Raina.


Kamran Akmal recalls verbal spat with Ishant Sharma

Back during Pakistan’s 2012-13 tour of India, visiting wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal got into a massive verbal spat with hosts speedster Ishant Sharma in the opening game of the series itself.

The Pakistani stumper recently clarified that it was Sharma who started the argument by abusing him. Akmal stated that he also retaliated back fittingly, and had almost reached to the point of getting banned or penalised before MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina de-escalated the situation.

Speaking on the Cricwick podcast, the Pakistan cricketer said:

“Ishant abused me. He said one bad word, in return he received 20. It turned out to be serious. But thankfully, MS Dhoni, the captain cool, then Suresh Raina also interfered. They knew who was at fault, so they settled the situation, otherwise it would've been worse. I could've been banned for two matches, penalised for 5 match fees.”

Notably, Pakistan won the match in question by five wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the T20I series. The ‘Men in Blue’ responded back with a win in the next game to level the T20I segment, before getting humbled by the visitors 2-1 in the subsequent ODIs.

Both India and Pakistan will now resume their rivalry at the upcoming Asia Cup 2023. Their match, which also happens to be India’s tournament opener, will be played out at the Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy on September 2.