Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has admitted that he and Saqlain Mushtaq used injections and painkillers to stay fit during Pakistan’s 1998–99 tour of India. Akhtar also said that the pressure forced players to hide injuries through doping and fool senior cricketers as well as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Notably, in 2006, the PCB suspended Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif after they tested positive for the banned substance nandrolone. Following the positive tests, the PCB withdrew both players from the Champions Trophy 2006. Akhtar failed to prove his innocence before the PCB’s anti-doping committee.
We were secretly taking banned pills – Shoaib Akhtar’s shocking doping confession
Shoaib Akhtar said on live TV that during Pakistan’s tour of India, he used injections and painkillers to stay fit. Akhtar also mentioned Sachin Tendulkar and revealed that he and Saqlain Mushtaq hid their injuries and secretly resorted to doping under pressure.
“Saqlain and I had a bet on who would take Sachin’s wicket during Pakistan’s tour of India in 1998-99. Both our knees had given up on us. We were secretly taking banned pills and injections to keep ourselves going.“
“If the seniors had known, they would have removed Saqlain, and in my case, I was already under constant pressure. They were just waiting for some reason to get rid of me. So we did everything quietly to remain on the field.”
Big confession of doping by Shoaib Akhtar on live TV
“Saqlain and I had made a bet on who would take Sachin’s wicket during Pakistan’s tour of India in 1998-99. Both our knees had given up on us. We were secretly taking banned pills and injections to keep ourselves alive.” pic.twitter.com/qVo5I6Vk0Y
– Brutal Truth (@sarkarstix) 24 February 2026
Shoaib Akhtar and Sachin Tendulkar defined the India-Pakistan fight
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, matches between India and Pakistan often focused on the battle between Shoaib Akhtar and Sachin Tendulkar. Akhtar led Pakistan’s fast bowling, while Tendulkar led India’s batting.
Akhtar played 46 Tests and took 178 wickets at an average of 25.69, which included 12 five-wicket hauls and two 10-wicket hauls. He also took 247 wickets in 163 One Day Internationals at an average of 24.97, including four five-wicket hauls.
Meanwhile, Tendulkar remains the leading run-scorer in Test cricket and One Day Internationals. The former captain of India also holds the record for most centuries in international cricket, with 100 centuries to his name.
Shoaib Akhtar’s major off-field controversies
Akhtar remained involved in many controversies during his career. During the inaugural T20 World Cup in South Africa in 2007, Akhtar was part of Pakistan’s squad but was sent home midway through the tournament after heated arguments with teammates Mohammad Asif and Shahid Afridi.
The controversy started when Akhtar compared himself to Imran Khan, following which his colleagues made fun of him. The situation quickly deteriorated and there were rumors that Akhtar even attacked Asif with a bat. Following an internal investigation, Akhtar was found guilty and banned for five matches.
In 2012, he accused the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of internal politics and claimed that some officials did not really want the national team to succeed. He alleged that personal grievances and power struggles were given priority instead of creating a healthy environment for the team.
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