If Shoaib Akhtar hurled an express bouncer at Sachin Tendulkar, suggesting the Indian batting maestro was scared of facing him, his former Pakistan teammate Shahid Afridi has further stoked the embers of controversy.
The resentment in India over Shoaib's comments, questioning the
match-winning qualities of Tendulkar and Dravid in his autobiography Controversially Yours, have barely died down.
Now, Afridi has added his spin, suggesting that Tendulkar quaked in his boots when Shoaib bowled!
Afridi, who retired after revolting against the Pakistan Cricket Board, told reporters: "He (Tendulkar) was scared of Shoaib. I have seen it myself. I was fielding at square leg and saw his legs trembling when Shoaib came on to bowl."
He did not specify which match he was referring to.
"During the World Cup, he also looked scared of (young spinner) Saeed Ajmal," Afridi, who was skipper, said.
"It's not a big deal, players do feel the pressure at times and it becomes difficult."
Tendulkar was dismissive of Shoaib's claims.
The Indian Board wanted him to apologise to Sachin and the controversy forced the book launch in Mumbai to be cancelled. Afridi's comments now look set to whip up a fresh cricketing storm.
(With PTI inputs)