Mumbai: Two years after being uncharitable towards Sachin Tendulkar in his autobiography, Controversially Yours, the mercurial Shoaib Akhtar has done a U-turn.

“Sachin’s an all-time great... There’s no doubt about it... But everybody has to call it a day and he’s going at the right time,” Shoaib told The Telegraph on Friday evening.

Speaking at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Shoaib (who retired after the 2011 World Cup) added: “The media twisted things out of proportion... Main koi controversy nahin karna chahta tha... I don’t think my relations with Sachin have got spoiled.”

Shoaib’s blaming the media, but Controversially Yours includes bits which don’t think much of Sachin as a match-winner. It also portrayed him as one who didn’t have the inclination to take on quicks.

Many wouldn’t even find that funny.