5 Pakistan cricketers who are loved by Indians

#4 Shoaib Akhtar

His frank Hindi commentary has won him a lot of fans in India

The tearaway fast bowler, much like Wasim Akram has become a hit with Indian fans post his retirement. Akhtar has rejuvenated his association with the game in the form of a Hindi commentator for Star Sports and has formed an unlikely partnership with his one-time rival Virender Sehwag in his new avatar.

The bowler had ruffled quite a few feathers when he wrote disparagingly of Indian stars Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid in his autobiography ‘Controversially Yours’. However, the bowler also wrote glowingly about his experience of playing in India. “I have discovered over the years that Indian cricket fans are warm and generous and know their cricket. As a result, I love playing and touring in India... I have really been touched by the Indian crowd.”