IPL 9: I really wish someone like Virat Kohli will cross 100 international hundreds, says Shoaib Akhtar

New Delhi: Though, Royal Challengers Bangalore failed to beat SunRisers Hyderabad in the IPL final on Sunday, former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar praised RCB skipper Virat Kohli's leadership qualities and the determination with which he bats.

Talking to Mid Day, the speedster mentioned Kohli's special knock, where he batted with nine stitches after splitting the webbing in his left hand, and went on to score 113 runs off 50 balls against Kings XI Punjab in the ninth edition.

Shoaib, 40, said that a batsman of Kohli’s caliber would have taken bigger risk and still would have come on top. “It was not a big risk. He would play with a broken leg and still score runs,” Shoaib told the tabloid.

Shoaib also wished the Delhi-born lad to break the record of 100 international hundreds, currently owned by legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar.

"Kohli is so energised to prove things, not to anybody, but to himself. He always challenges himself. I think he has a good five to seven years ahead of him, and I really wish someone like him will cross 100 international hundreds,” he added.

Shoaib seems optimistic about Pakistani players joining the cash-rich IPL in near the future.

It would have been nice if our people could come out here and enjoy the IPL. It didn’t happen for a reason, but I am sure things will settle down and in coming years Pakistanis will play in IPL,” he added.