Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar, the "Rawalpindi Express", is the fastest bowler in cricket history. Born on 13 August 1975 in Rawalpindi, he rose from humble beginnings to terrify batsmen around the world with his raw pace.

Career

Shoaib made his Test debut in 1997 and took 178 Test wickets and 247 ODI wickets in a career blighted by injuries but punctuated by brilliance. In 2003, against England at Cape Town, he bowled a delivery recorded at 161.3 km/h (100.2 mph) — the fastest ball ever measured, a record that still stands. His duels with the world's best batsmen, and his battles with his own body, made him one of cricket's most compelling characters.

He was a member of Pakistan's 1999 World Cup final squad and played in three World Cups. His standout performances include a hat-trick against Sri Lanka in 2002 and match-winning spells in both Tests and ODIs.

Beyond cricket

After retiring in 2011, Shoaib became a popular commentator, television personality and YouTuber, known for his candid opinions and colourful storytelling. He has also been involved in coaching and is the author of his autobiography. He remains one of the most recognisable and entertaining figures in Pakistani cricket.