Shoaib Akhtar: Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh are my younger brothers

Karachi: Shoaib Akhtar has laughed off claims by Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh that he and Yuvraj Singh were once beaten by the former pacer in a hotel room in Pakistan. “I think he has made a big deal of it. Yes it did happen during 2004 when we were playing a Test in Rawalpindi. But it was nothing serious and all fun,” Akhtar clarified. “Basically we were horsing around and doing some arm wrestling and that is all but no Bhajji and Yuvi are my younger brothers no question of beating them up,” Akhtar said. Harbhajan narrated the incident during a show on an Indian television channel and his claims were highlighted by Pakistani media. Shoaib warns ENG to write PAK out in Test series

Akhtar also said that any rivalry with Indian players was always on the field and not off it. “They got along well with me and used to come to my room and have dinner together. Yuvi wanted to go for sightseeing in Islamabad. We have been good friends so how can I beat them,” he remarked. Inzamam-ul-Haq who was Pakistan s captain in the Test confirmed that such an incident had taken place in the hotel room. “But Shoaib was always very muscular and strong and even hugging him or shaking hands with him could be painful for other players,” Inzamam joked. Virender Sehwag to Shoaib Akhtar: Pakistan still waiting for ‘Mauka’ to beat India in World Cup

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Meanwhile, former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has warned people writing off Pakistan in the coming Test series against England to be prepared for a surprise. He also advised tainted left arm pace bowler Mohammad Aamer to remain humble on the tour and blend in with his teammates in order to sustain the pressure he will face in England playing there for the first time since the spot-fixing scandal in 2010. Aamer was among the three Pakistani players involved in the scandal and served a five-year ban for spot-fixing. “The best way for Aamer to counter is to perform on the field which I am sure he can do. But he also has to remain humble and not show attitude. He has to blend in with his teammates and win matches for them.