The Greatest Rivalry: India vs Pakistan was released on Netflix on February 7, 2025, and ever since then, the docuseries has been sitting at the top spot in India in terms of watched series of the week. Directed by Chandradev Bhagat, Stewart Sugg, The Greatest Rivalry: India vs Pakistan is a three-episode docuseries that revolves around the cricket rivalry between the two neighboring countries. The Greatest Rivalry: India vs Pakistan also shares a few glances how due to terrorism India stopped playing bilateral cricket with Pakistan. Notably, the Netflix docuseries showcased that both governments in 2004 tried to use cricket as a democratic tool to bridge the gap between them and one of the prime examples of it is the Friendship Cup 2004.
The Greatest Rivalry: India vs Pakistan which features many former cricketers also unravels and what actually happened behind the scenes between both the cricketing teams. One of the controversies that it addressed was when Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akhtar was accused of faking a rib injury during the third test between India and Pakistan. Notably, Team India for the first time defeated Pakistan on their home soil by sealing the 3-match Test series by 2-1. Following Pakistan's loss, Akhtar was accused of faking an injury.
Shoaib Akhtar Fake Injury
Addressing the controversy, Shoaib Akhtar said, "I got (VVS) Laxman out on the snake ball and us on the full toss. So, I felt the crack and I thought what I am injured."
After Pakistan lost the series, Shoaib Akhtar said, "There was a huge silence and we just went to different corners, did not talk about this. We were embarrassed, humiliated...The atmosphere in the dressing room should have been relaxed but it was not. In the third test match, we could have won too but I got injured. And then, they accused me that I am faking the injury."
For the first time, it really broke my heart. I got X-rays done. He said 'Sir (doctor), you don't have a broken rib. You have three broken ribs. I showed that scan to PCB, to the captain, and to the team. I said, 'Please never ever doubt my integrity, my patriotism towards the game.' "