Shoaib Akhtar wanted 2011 World Cup final tickets for family, I told him to come as spectator: Harbhajan Singh

Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh, on the auspicious occasion of the 10th anniversary of India’s 2011 World Cup final win, has recalled an incident from that historic tournament.

The off-field friendship and banter that senior Indian cricketers share with their Pakistan counterparts is something that is often talked about. Such an incident, showcasing one of the unusual friendships in cricket, took place in the 2011 World Cup ahead of the semifinal between India and Pakistan. Harbhajan Singh has recalled that incident wherein Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar had come to him to ask for a few Mohali semifinal tickets for his family. Bhajji said that he had arranged for a few tickets for Akhtar’s family. Bhajji then said that Akhtar had once again come to him to ask for tickets for his family for the final in Wankhede as well. The former Indian spinner had then told Akhtar that India, and not Pakistan, would go on to play in the final before giving him the tickets.