Shoaib Akhtar About this sound pronunciation (help·info); born 13 August 1975) is a former Pakistani cricketer, who is widely regarded as the fastest bowler of all time for bowling at speeds up to 161.3 km/h.[1][2] Considered as a legend in the all-time best pacers of the history of the game, Akhtar was nicknamed the "Rawalpindi Express", as a tribute to his hometown and fast bowling.
Akhtar made his Test debut in November 1997 as an opening fast bowler and played his first One Day International 3 months later.
Akhtar has been involved in several controversies during his career, often accused of not being a team player, but was also commended for significantly impacting games in Pakistan's favour. Akhtar was sent home during a Test match series in Australia in 2005 for alleged poor attitude. A year later, he was embroiled in a drug scandal after testing positive for the performance-enhancing substance nandrolone. However, the ban imposed on him was lifted on appeal. In September 2007, he was banned for an indefinite period for his fight with Pakistan team mate and fast bowler Mohammad Asif.[3] On 1 April 2008, Akhtar was banned for 5 years for publicly criticising the Pakistan Cricket Board.[4] In October 2008, the Lahore High Court in Pakistan suspended the five-year ban and Akhtar was selected in the 15-man squad for the Twenty20 Quadrangular Tournament in Canada.[5] Pakistani judge Rana Bhagwandas once stated that Akhtar is a legend of Pakistan cricket.[6] Akhtar retired from international cricket after the 2011 World Cup.
Contents [hide]
1 Early years
2 Career International career
2.1 Fast bowling
2.2 Struggle for form and consistent injuries (2007–2009)
2.3 Rehabilitation and final years (2010–2011)
3 Domestic career
3.1 England county cricket
3.2 Indian Premier League
4 Cricket controversies and injuries
4.1 Drug scandal
4.1.1 Acquittal
4.2 Other controversies
5 Personal life
6 International bowling records
6.1 Test cricket: Ten-wickets in a match
6.2 Career best performances
7 Other cricket records
8 Television
9 References
10 External links
Early years[edit]
Akhtar was born in a small town Morgha near Rawalpindi, Punjab in Pakistan in a Gujjar family.[7] His father was a plant operator at the Attock Refinery.[7] Akhtar started his studies at Elliott High School, Morgah and then was admitted to Angelia Ruskin University UK.
Career International career[edit]
Considering his subsequent high profile in cricket, Akhtar's test career started rather modestly. He was first picked to play on his home ground in Rawalpindi during the 2nd Test of the West Indies 1997/98 tour of Pakistan. He was subsequently included in the tour of South Africa during the winter of 1998, where he played in all three tests. He was notably the spearhead of a depleted Pakistani bowling attack in the Peshawar Test against the visiting Australians later in 1998, when Mark Taylor scored his famous 334 n.o. in Australia's first innings. Subsequently, after 8 tests and 16 innings, Akhtar had accumulated only 18 wickets to his name.[8]
Akhtar's run of impressive performances started in 1999, during a pre-World Cup series against India. It was followed by outstanding bowling performances in Sharjah and later in 1999 Cricket World Cup. His most significant performance was in India in 1999 when he captured eight wickets in the Asian Test championship match at Calcutta – including the wickets of Indian batsmen: Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Sabeel Mushtaq when he bowled both batsmen off successive deliveries. It was the first ball he ever bowled to Tendulkar.
In 2002, he was selected for the Pakistan team against Australia and achieved success. However he performed poorly during the 2003 Cricket World Cup and after the tournament he was dropped from the Pakistan squad. He was selected back into the Pakistan squad in the 2004 Test match series against New Zealand, but struggled in a losing Test series against India in 2004. The series ended with a controversy when he left the field citing an injury leading to suspicions by former Pakistan captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq, about his commitment to the team. As a result, his relationship with Inzamam-ul-Haq and former Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer deteriorated. A medical panel was set up by the Pakistan Cricket Board to investigate the nature of his injury, however Pakistan officials dispelled all suspicions.[9]
In 2005, Akhtar regained his reputation as a fast bowler for his side. Playing in a three Test home series against England, he made a series of impressive bowling performances. His effective use of slower deliveries proved to be unplayable by the English batsmen. Akhtar emerged as the highest wicket taker of the series with seventeen wickets. His comeback was also remarkable as prior to his return, he had been criticised from all corners-such as by the Worcestershire chairman John Elliot for his celebrity attitude and lack of commitment to team. His performance was also acknowledged by the English captain Michael Vaughan, who remarked "I thought he (Shoaib) was a big difference between the two teams".[10] He is also known as one of only three bowlers to have ever broken the 100 mph barrier in cricket history, with a delivery of 100.04 mph, during a one-day international against New Zealand.[11]
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