Shoaib Akhtar is regarded as the fastest bowler ever in the history of cricket and has bowled the fastest delivery officially recorded at a speed of 161.3 km/h. Akhtar has a number of fast bowling records. He has bowled at speeds of 159.3 km/h, 160 km/h, 159 km/h and 158.4 km/h. The fastest was against England in the 2003 Cricket World Cup,the ball was recorded at 161.3 km/h,[12] the fastest three were against New Zealand in 2002 and the other three were against Sri Lanka in the same year. He is the first bowler in the history of cricket to have been recorded to bowl over 100 mph.[13]
Struggle for form and consistent injuries (2007–2009)[edit]
On 29 October 2007, Akhtar made his return to cricket, from his 13 match ban and performed well, taking 4 wickets for 43 runs against South Africa in the fifth and deciding One Day International series in Lahore in Pakistan. Subsequently, he was included in the 16-man Pakistan squad for the 2007 tour of India, which he completed successfully without further incident and injury.
Rehabilitation and final years (2010–2011)[edit]
Akhtar made a return to international cricket albeit in the shorter format of the game. In May 2010, PCB named him in a list of 35 probables for the Asia Cup. On 15 June 2010, Akhtar made his return, taking 3 wickets for 28 runs in the first match of the Asia Cup against Sri Lanka.[14] He narrowly missed out a spot in the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 in place of the injured Umar Gul.
In July 2010, he was selected for the Twenty20 series against Australia but the selectors decided not to play him in the Test squad so that he would not get injured. He was subsequently selected for the ODI and Twenty20 series against England in September 2010.[15]
Akhtar returned to the national side representing the country against England in the Twenty20 International. He bowled an impressive spell and returned with figures of 2 wickets for 23 runs.[16] He continued to bowl well in the ODI series in the absence of regular fast-bowlers, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, who were suspended by the International Cricket Council amid allegations of Spot-fixing. Despite his relatively good bowling form, Pakistani coach Waqar Younis insisted that the bowling attack must not become reliant on Akhtar, as he is 35 years of age and fitness troubles continue to affect him.[17] Akhtar was selected for the tour of New Zealand and started his campaign off well with 3 wickets on Boxing Day in the first of two Twenty20 Internationals against New Zealand.
Akhtar was selected in Pakistan's 15-man squad to play in the 2011 World Cup hosted by Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka in February to March. Akhtar with During the tournament, he announced that he would retire from international cricket at the end of the World Cup. Due to brutal hitting by New Zealander Ross Taylor of the bowling of Akhtar, he was dropped from the squad after group matches and was not included to the quarter final as well.[18] In September, Akhtar released his autobiography, Controversially Yours.[19]
Domestic career[edit]
England county cricket[edit]
Akhtar Calmly signing an autograph for his fans
Akhtar has played for three English county cricket clubs, including Somerset in 2001, Durham in 2003 and 2004 and Worcestershire in 2005. He did achieve his moments of success, such as taking 5 wickets for 35 runs for Durham against Somerset in the National League in 2003 and claiming 6 wickets for 16 runs in the same competition for Worcestershire against Glamorgan two years later, but he suffered from fitness problems, as well as a perception that he was less than interested in his task. This was particularly the case at Worcestershire: chairman John Elliott said "Players like that are no good to our club. In fact, Akhtar has been no good for any club he's been at. He's a superstar and just does what he wants."[20]
Indian Premier League[edit]
Akhtar made a successful return to cricket in his first game in the Indian Premier League, playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders against the Delhi Daredevils. Defending a low score of 133 runs, Akhtar took four top order wickets which ultimately led to the Daredevils being restricted to 110 runs. He ended with figures of 4 wickets for 11 runs from three overs, a performance which earned him the player of the match award.[21][22] Akhtar denied that he had any point to prove with his performance, stating, "I just wanted to win the game." Knight Riders' captain Sourav Ganguly also acknowledged Akhtar's performance, "He came to the country with lots [of things] happening behind him...But he showed a lot of character."[23] It has been widely reported that the Knight Riders have released Akhtar from his contract due to his injury history but the Knight Riders' officials have denied these reports and said they are still in talks with the fast bowler.[24]
He has also played for Cyclones of Chittagong in Bangladesh's NCL T20 Bangladesh.
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