Regarded as an integral part of Sri Lankan cricket, Kumar Sangakkara donned the national jersey in over 500 matches spanning over almost 15 years. The left-hander is one of the few batsmen who owns the stupendous record of amassing 10,000-plus runs in both Tests and ODIs.

After breaking into the national side in 2000, Sangakkara went on to play 134 Tests, 404 ODIs and 56 T20Is for Sri Lanka. During the course of his international voyage, the former Sri Lanka skipper encountered several world-class bowlers. Sangakkara, in a recent Q&A on Marylebone Cricket Club, spilled beans on the toughest bowlers he has encountered.

Kumar Sangakkara picks two left-arm quicks

Sangakkara picked two left-arm pacers Wasim Akram and Zaheer Khan as the most difficult bowlers he ever faced in his career. Akram, a master of pace and reverse swing, is acknowledged as one of the greatest bowlers of all time.

Kumar Sangakkara picks the most difficult fast bowlers he ever faced. pic.twitter.com/AwSfJg3dmv

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 10, 2020

Known as ‘Sultan of Swing’, Akram donned the Pakistan jersey in 104 Tests and 356 ODIs where he scalped 414 and 502 wickets respectively. Akram is considered to be one of the founders, and perhaps the finest exponent of the reverse swing.

Talking about Zaheer Khan, he eventually paved his way to becoming India’s mainstay across all formats. The left-arm quick was the second-most successful Indian pace bowler in Test cricket, only behind Kapil Dev. In 92 Tests, 200 ODIs and 17 T20Is for India, Zaheer scalped 311, 282 and 17 wickets respectively. He was a part of the national side in three World Cups and was the highest wicket-taker for India in all three of them.

“Wasim Akram was a nightmare to face. Zaheer Khan, I faced many times and was extremely difficult also,” said Sangakkara during the Twitter Q&A.

Sangakkara was recently in news for 2011 World Cup final fixing allegations. Former Sports Minister of Sri Lanka Mahindananda Aluthgamage had claimed that Sri Lanka had ‘sold’ the final of the mega-event where India had clinched the trophy.

An investigation was conducted after the allegations and many Sri Lankan stalwarts including Sangakkara and Jayawardene were questioned. However, after a thorough investigation, the Sri Lankan Sports Ministry decided to put a stop into the investigation. People had even protested outside Sri Lanka Cricket’s headquarters for harassing their cricketing heroes over false allegations.