Shoaib Akhtar names Rahul Dravid as most 'determined batsman' he ever bowled to

Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has claimed that Indian batting great Rahul Dravid was a difficult opponent to play against.

Akhtar pointed out that the determination and ability of Dravid which made him a very difficult opposition to bowl.

"Dravid was a difficult and determined batsman. It was difficult for me as well as him. He would play me quite easily," said Akhtar during former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra's YouTube show AakashVani. 

Speaking about the training he received at club level during his developmental years, Akhtar said, "If a batsman used to play the ball late like Rahul Dravid, we would bowl him length balls. From close to the stump we would aim at the gap between bat and pad, try to hit the ball on the pad." 

Akhtar further spoke on the time when he managed to dismiss Dravid via LBW in Bengaluru but the umpire did not give the decision in Pakistan's favour. 

"There was a final match in Bangalore, I had dismissed Sadagoppan Ramesh early, we took 3-4 wickets early. Sachin Tendulkar was not playing. Shahid Afridi and I said Rahul Dravid will take a lot of time and it's Friday night today. Afridi said bowl something and take his wicket else he will play for long," Akhtar recalled. 

"I hit him directly on the pad and urged the umpire to raise his fingers. I even said it's our Friday night. He did not give the decision in our favour but we had won in the end."