Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar
Pakistan

Full Name: Shoaib Akhtar
Date of Birth: Aug 13, 1975, Rawalpindi, Punjab
Major Team: Pakistan, Agriculture Development Bank of Pakistan, Asia XI, Durham, ICC World XI, Khan Research Labs, Kolkata Knight Riders, Pakistan International Airlines, Rawalpindi, Somerset, Worcestershire
Playing Roll: Bowler
Batting Style: Right
Bowling Style: Right-arm fast

Shoaib Akhtar (Urdu: شعیب اختر) (born 13 August 1975 in Rawalpindi, Punjab) is a Pakistani cricketer, and is the fastest bowler in the world, earning him the name Rawalpindi Express. He set a world record by clocking 100mph twice. His ability to bowl fast yorkers, well disguised slow balls, swinging deliveries, and sharp bouncers made him lethal even on dead pitches.



However, he has never been far from controversy, often accused of not being a team player. Shoaib was sent back home from a tour in Australia in 2005. A year later he was embroiled in a drug scandal after testing positive for a banned substance. However, the ban imposed on him was lifted on appeal. In September 2007, Shoaib was banned by the PCB for an indefinite period for the alleged brawl with his team-mate Mohammad Asif.[1] On 1 April 2008 Shoaib was banned for five years for publicly criticizing the policies of the Pakistan Cricket Board.[2] As of October 2008, the Lahore High Court has suspended the 5 year ban until the hearing for the case takes place and Shoaib has been named in the 15-man squad for the Twenty20 Quadrangular Tournament in Canada.



Early years

Shoaib, a Gujjar by caste, was born at Morgah, a small town near Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan. His father was a worker in Attock Oil Refinery, Morgah. Shoaib started his studies at Elliott High School, Morgah and then took admission in the Asghar Mall College, Rawalpindi. There he was given the chance to show off his talent and consequently come into the limelight.



Performances

Shoaib's run of impressive performances started in 1999 in a pre-World Cup series against India when he shot to prominence. It was followed by outstanding bowling displays in Sharjah and later in 1999 Cricket World Cup. His memorable performance came in India in 1999 when, as a newcomer to the Pakistan team, he took eight wickets in the Asian Test championship match at Calcutta – including the wickets of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid off successive deliveries. This was Shoaib's first encounter with Sachin Tendulkar in which Shoaib bowled him for the first ball he delivered to Sachin.




Later in 2002 he fared a spirited bowling attack against Australia. The 2003 World Cup was a huge disappointment, especially given the hype, after which he was dropped from the team. He came back in the team with a bang in the 2004 series against New Zealand but struggled in a lost series against India in 2004. The series ended with a controversy when he left the field citing an injury leading to suspicions by the captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq, about his commitment. As a result, his relationship with Inzamam-ul-Haq and the coach Bob Woolmer deteriorated. A medical panel set up by PCB to investigate the nature of his injury, however, dispelled all suspicions.[4]



In 2005, Shoaib regained his reputation as a potent bowler for his side. Playing in a three-Test home series against England, he made a series of impressive bowling efforts on lifeless pitches. His effective use of slower ball proved to be unplayable by English batsmen. He emerged as the highest wicket taker of the series with seventeen wickets. 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".[5] He is also known as the bowler who broke the 100 mph barrier in cricket bowling history, with a delivery of 100.2 mphyoutube. Shoaib's delivery at 161.3 km/h stands as the fastest recorded to date.



International Bowling Records

Test Five-wicket innings
Test Five-wicket innings
Number Figures Match Against City/Country Venue Season
1 5/43 3 South Africa Durban, S.A. Kingsmead 1998
2 5/75 13 Sri Lanka Peshawar, Pakistan Arbab Niaz Stadium 1999
3 5/24 16 West Indies Sharjah, UAE Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium 2002
4 6/11 19 Australia Colombo, Sri Lanka PSS 2002
5 6/50 25 Bangladesh Peshawar, Pakistan Arbab Niaz Stadium 2003
6 5/48 27 New Zealand Wellington, New Zealand Basin Reserve 2003
7 6/30 27 New Zealand Wellington, New Zealand Basin Reserve 2003
8 5/60 30 Sri Lanka Faisalabad, Pakistan Iqbal Stadium 2004
9 5/99 31 Australia Perth, Australia WACA Ground 2004
10 5/109 32 Australia Melbourne, Australia MCG 2004
11 5/71 36 England Lahore, Pakistan Gaddafi Stadium 2005

Test Ten-wicket Matches


Test Ten-wicket Matches
Test Ten-wicket Matches
Number Match Figures Match Against City/Country Venue Season
1 10/80 25 Bangladesh Peshawar, Pakistan Arbab Niaz Stadium 2003
2 11/78 27 New Zealand Wellington, New Zealand Basin Reserve 2003


ODI Five-wicket Matches

Number Match Figures Match Against City/Country Venue Season
1 5/19 42 New Zealand Karachi, Pakistan National Stadium 2001
2 6/16 60 New Zealand Wellington, New Zealand Basin Reserve 2002
3 5/25 64 Australia Australia, Australia GABBA Ground 2002
4 5/54 127 England Lahore, Pakistan Gaddafi Stadium 2005


Controversies and Injuries