Shoaib Akhtar, known as the “Rawalpindi Express,” is one of the most recognizable and controversial cricketers in the history of the sport. Born on August 13, 1975, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Shoaib Akhtar was known for his blistering pace, which made him one of the most feared bowlers in the world. Shoaib Akhtar started his career in 1997, playing his first international match against the West Indies. In his debut game, he bowled at a speed of 149.7 km/h, which made him an instant sensation. He quickly became a regular member of the Pakistan cricket team and was known for his aggressive and attacking style of bowling.
Shoaib Akhtar
Personal Information
| Born : Aug 13, 1975 |
| Birth Place : Rawalpindi Punjab , Pakistan |
| Height : 6 ft |
| Role : Bowler |
| Batting Style : Right Handed Bat |
| Bowling Style : Right-arm Fast |
Shoaib Akhtar’s career was not without controversy, as he was often involved in disputes with his team management and fellow players. He was also known for his frequent injuries, which kept him out of the game for long periods of time. Despite these setbacks, he continued to play at the highest level and was a vital member of the Pakistan cricket team for over a decade.
Shoaib Akhtar’s most famous moment came in the 2003 Cricket World Cup, where he bowled the fastest recorded delivery in the history of the sport, clocking in at 161.3 km/h. He continued to break records throughout his career, including being the first bowler to break the 100 mph barrier in international cricket.
Shoaib Akhtar retired from international cricket in 2011, but his legacy as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time lives on. He finished his career with 178 wickets in Test cricket and 247 wickets in One Day Internationals. His speed, aggression, and unpredictability made him a true icon of the game, and his name will forever be associated with the Rawalpindi Express.
In addition to his cricketing career, Shoaib Akhtar has also dabbled in other ventures. He has appeared in several movies, including the Bollywood film “Mujhse Shaadi Karogi,” and has hosted a number of TV shows, including the reality show “Pakistan Idol.”
Shoaib Akhtar remains a popular figure in Pakistan and around the world, and his legacy as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time is secure. His combination of speed, skill, and aggression made him a feared opponent for batsmen around the world, and his name will forever be associated with the Rawalpindi Express.
Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Career :
Batting Records & stats
| Format | M | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 200 | 50 | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 46 | 67 | 13 | 544 | 47 | 10.07 | 1313 | 41.43 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 53 | 22 |
| ODI | 163 | 84 | 40 | 394 | 43 | 8.95 | 538 | 73.23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 12 |
| T20I | 15 | 6 | 3 | 21 | 8 | 7.0 | 16 | 131.25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| IPL | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2.0 | 7 | 28.57 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Bowling Records & stats
| Format | M | Inn | B | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Econ | Avg | SR | 5W | 10W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 46 | 82 | 8143 | 4574 | 178 | 6/11 | 11/78 | 3.37 | 25.7 | 45.75 | 12 | 2 |
| ODI | 163 | 162 | 7764 | 6169 | 247 | 6/16 | 6/16 | 4.77 | 24.98 | 31.43 | 4 | 0 |
| T20I | 15 | 15 | 318 | 432 | 19 | 3/38 | 3/38 | 8.15 | 22.74 | 16.74 | 0 | 0 |
| IPL | 3 | 3 | 42 | 54 | 5 | 4/11 | 4/11 | 7.71 | 10.8 | 8.4 | 0 | 0 |
Why is Shoaib Akhtar called Rawalpindi Express ?
Shoaib Akhtar, the former Pakistani cricketer, is known as the “Rawalpindi Express” because he was born in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and his style of bowling was lightning-fast, like an express train. The term “Express” is often used to describe fast bowlers, and Shoaib Akhtar’s incredible speed made him one of the fastest bowlers in the history of cricket.
During his career, he consistently bowled at speeds above 150 km/h, and he even clocked in at 161.3 km/h during the 2003 Cricket World Cup, which is the fastest recorded delivery in the history of the sport. The name “Rawalpindi Express” has since become synonymous with Shoaib Akhtar’s incredible speed, and it is a fitting nickname for one of the greatest fast bowlers to have ever played the game.