Shoaib Akhtar denies that he carries Sonali Bendre's photo in his wallet

In some random and bizarre news, former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has taken to his Youtube channel to clear the air about some rumours flying around about him and Bollywood actress, Sonali Bendre.

The actor recorded a lengthy video slamming what he calls baseless rumours that reported how he was allegedly 'in love' with Bendre, would carry a photo of her around in her wallet and even planned on kidnapping her.

Clearing the air, he said, "I haven't ever even met Sonali Bendre and at the same time, I was never a fan. I've seen her in movies and she's a beautiful woman but I've never been a diehard fan. When I heard she was unwell (Bendre was diagnosed with cancer last year) and she courageously fought her disease, that’s when I became a fan. Previously, there were also rumours about me wanting to marry Dia Mirza — I’ve never met her either!"

He also spoke in support of Sania Mirza who was trolled for a widely circulating video of members of the Pakistani team sitting at a sheesha bar, which some claimed to be hours before the India versus Pakistan match while the PCB said it was two nights ago. Irrespective, people's grievances were that the team took the match lightly and were ill-prepared for it and Mirza was blamed for it because apparently, women are accountable for everything.

Read: Veena Malik is firing shots at Sania Mirza and it's not okay

"She gets criticism for no reason. If she went out for dinner with her husband, how is that a crime? When she married Shoaib Malik, she got hate then and now that Pakistan lost, somehow she's getting criticism for that. What does their performance have to do with her? These stupid comments and stupid mentality are really hurtful, please refrain from talking about other people's families," he added.