Kohli can hit 120 centuries, says Rawalpindi Express Shoaib Akhtar

Dubai - Sachin was an all-time great. In today's era, Virat Kohli is the greatest batsman, Akhtar said

Shoaib Akhtar left an imprint on every Indian mind with those two yorkers that broke through the defences of Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar in that unforgettable 1999 Eden Gardens Test. 
Akhtar could not have announced his arrival as a fast bowler in a more emphatic fashion. He may have never hit the heights of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, but he became arguably the most feared bowler in cricket history, thanks to his frightening speed.  
"You know when I first came to international cricket, it wasn't easy even for someone like Sachin to play me because I was bowling so quick. When I first played international cricket, Sachin was in his 10th year in international cricket and he had to face me, Glenn McGrath, Wasim, Waqar. But he still went on to score many more hundreds to become the only player to score 100 international centuries. That showed the ability of the man," Akhtar, who retired from the game in 2011 with 178 Test wickets and 247 ODI scalps, told Khaleej Times during a free-wheeling chat in Dubai on Tuesday.   
The man who grew up idolising Waqar Younis then predicted that Virat Kohli has what it takes to break his idol Tendulkar's record of 100 international centuries. 
On Monday, the 29-year-old Kohli scored his 50th international hundred in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens, a stadium where Akhtar became part of the fast bowling folklore all those years ago.  
"Virat Kohli is a modern-day great. When it comes to run chases, no one has ever shown better understanding of pacing an innings. Yes he has 50 international centuries now. I think he is the only player who can break Tendulkar's record. But there is no pressure on him. He should just go out there and enjoy the game. He should just look after himself. 
"If Misbah-ul-Haq can play until 43, I am sure Virat can play until he is 44. If he plays that long and if he continues to score the way he is doing now, I have no doubt that he is the only one who can do it. In fact, he can hit 120 centuries," he added.  
"But comparing him to Sachin is not justified. Sachin was an all-time great. In today's era, Virat Kohli is the greatest batsman.
"It would have been great if I had played against him a bit more. Unfortunately he was too young towards the end of my career. He only faced one ball from me in Sri Lanka. 
"I was struggling with my knee. Then I remember this young kid with a lot of tattoos in his arm who was shuffling around the crease. But he had a spark and we all discussed about it in the Pakistan dressing room." 
It was that India series in 1999 that made Shoaib Akhtar. The Rawalpindi Express admitted that he is very fond of India. "You know I have utmost respect for India and its people. They have launched me as a brand ambassador for their news channels. You know I am probably the only one who probably had a live show in Shivaji Park when the Navratri was going on. But there were thousands of people standing there and listening to me. That's the kind of love I have got from India," he said. 
"Even in matches, we must always show respect. It's fine to lose a game. Hats off to Kohli who went to the Pakistan dressing room after the Champions Trophy final and congratulated our players. He spoke very highly of the Pakistan team. You know he is not only a great cricketer, he is a great ambassador for India as well."
rituraj@khaleejtimes.com