Sporting heroes : Shoaib Akhtar - career HLs & video of express pace bowler from Pakistan

 

Shoaib Akhtar, born on August 13, 1975, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, is famously known as one of the most fearsome and electrifying fast bowlers in the history of cricket. Dubbed the "Rawalpindi Express" for his lightning speed, Akhtar's career is marked by his explosive pace, charismatic personality, and a series of unforgettable performances that have left an indelible mark on the game.

 Style of Play

- **Raw Pace:**

  - Shoaib Akhtar was renowned for his blistering pace, often clocking speeds over 150 km/h (93 mph), making him one of the fastest bowlers ever in cricket history.

  - His aggressive, attacking style of bowling made him a constant threat to batsmen, capable of delivering unplayable deliveries with devastating effect.

  - Akhtar's ability to reverse swing the old ball at high speeds added an extra dimension to his bowling, particularly on subcontinental pitches.

- **Intimidation Factor:**

  - Akhtar’s fierce and intimidating presence on the field often put psychological pressure on opposing batsmen, making him a formidable competitor in any match situation.

  - His fiery temperament and unrelenting aggression contributed to his reputation as a bowler who could change the course of a game in a single spell.

 Career Achievements

- **Test Cricket:**

  - Akhtar made his Test debut for Pakistan on November 29, 1997, against the West Indies.

  - He played 46 Test matches, taking 178 wickets at an average of 25.69.

  - His best bowling figures in an innings were 6/11, and he took five wickets in an innings 12 times in his Test career.

  - Akhtar's most memorable Test performances include his back-to-back explosive reverse swinging yorker deliveries that clean-bowled Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar in the 1999 Kolkata Test, showcasing his ability to dismantle even the best batsmen with brute pace .

- **One Day Internationals (ODIs):**

  - Akhtar's ODI debut came on March 28, 1998, against Zimbabwe.

  - He played 163 ODIs, taking 247 wickets at an average of 24.97.

  - His best ODI bowling figures were 6/16, and he took five wickets in an innings four times in ODIs.

  - Akhtar holds the record for the fastest delivery ever bowled in cricket, clocking 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph) against England in the 2003 Cricket World Cup.

### Notable Achievements

- **World Cup Performances:**

  - Shoaib Akhtar was a key player for Pakistan in multiple World Cup campaigns, particularly in 1999 and 2003, where his express pace and ability to take crucial wickets were instrumental.  He assisted Pakistan to reach the final of 1999 World cup and bowled some serious quick spells during that event . 

  

- **Legacy:**

  - Despite injuries that hampered his career, Akhtar’s impact on the game, especially in the fast bowling department, is immense. He remains a cult hero for his sheer pace and ability to generate excitement whenever he bowled.

Shoaib Akhtar's contributions to cricket go beyond his on-field achievements. His aggressive style, combined with his unique charisma, has made him a larger-than-life figure in the sport. Akhtar's legacy is one of raw power, speed, and unforgettable moments that have thrilled cricket fans around the world.

In the below video , watch the two famous explosive yorkers by Shoaib Akhtar that knocked over Dravid and Sachin in Kolkata test 1999