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Shoaib Akhtar, The Rawalpindi Express.
A Thread
A Thread
The boy born on the 13th of August 1975 to Hameeda Awan and Mohammad Akhtar would go onto become the fastest bowler in Cricket History.
Shoaib was brought up in Muhalla Jaadi, one of the poorest neighbourhoods in the old British army base, Rawalpindi .
Shoaibâs father worked as a night watchman, hence the biggest part in his early life was played by his mother
Shoaibâs father worked as a night watchman, hence the biggest part in his early life was played by his mother
Shoaib taught himself to bowl emulating the action of Imran Khan, and was spotted by a coach who took him to the Rawalpindi club. Shoaib was approached by Majid Khan who asked him his name and Shoaib replied âShoaib, very soon everyone will know my nameâ.
Shoaib went to Lahore for trials with PIA, he was unable to pay for beds so convinced tanga wala to give him some bedding telling him that one day he will play for Pakistan.
He was chosen to play for PIA in 1994-1995 and had to live in Karachi which was engulfed in Civil War, with his salary of 500 rupees a month he got a place in the centre of the fighting, he had pick his way through dead bodies on his way to the NSK.
He left Karachi because he didnât get the chance he wanted, and one day burst into the PIA office, and told them that he will be playing for Pakistan within a year.
He got his second chance with the Agricultural Development bank of Pakistan, and when they played PIA he injured five players.
A year later he was playing for Pakistan.
A year later he was playing for Pakistan.
Shoaib found Aziz Khan the tonga wala sleeping on a street corner after a long search, and kept trying to give him some money which Aziz didnât accept.
The extraordinary Test career of Shoaib Akhtar began in 1997 against the Westindies, Shoaib took two wickets.
Shoaib took his first five-for against South Africa in Durban, it was also the first time Pakistan defeated RSA in Tests, Shoaib became a regular from that point on.
In 1999 there wasnât a more thrilling side in World Cricket than the Rawalpindi Express steaming in at the Worldâs best batsmen, at eden gardens in front of 65000 fans he clean bowled Tendulkar and Dravid of Successive deliveries.
He was phenomenal at the 1999 World Cup taking 16 Wickets including 3 in the semi final against New zealand.
He signed up for Nottinghamshire that year but missed almost whole of the Year 2000 due to several injuries.
He signed up for Nottinghamshire that year but missed almost whole of the Year 2000 due to several injuries.
He came back in 2001 against New Zealand and took a five wicket haul in the first match but was injured again in the next, a report from@the university of Western Australia concluded that year that his action was a result of âUnique Physical Characteristics.
He found his spark again in 2002 and destroyed New Zealand at home in the process bowling the first ever 100 MPH delivery hd took 6-16 in an ODI and 6-11 in a Test both matches were in Karachi, He also destroyed Australia in Colombo.
He had a poor 2003 World Cup and was dropped, recalled for a tri series he became the second man ever to be banned for ball tampering, he misses the first NewZealand test with injury , takes 11 in the second and is injured again for ODIs.
The next few years were filled with, Controversy, Injuries, and Sparks of the Amazing talent that the Rawalpindi express possessed, such as taking 17 wickets in a series against England, and bowling the second 100 MPH delivery.
He took his 200th ODI wicket in the year 2006.
He took his 200th ODI wicket in the year 2006.
He missed the 2007 ODI world Cup due to injury and the World Twenty20 due to disciplinary issues, he is withdrawn from the 2009 World T20 after being diagnosed with a skin condition.
He was selected to play for KKR in the Inaugral IPL, taking 5 wickets in 3 matches.
He was selected to play for KKR in the Inaugral IPL, taking 5 wickets in 3 matches.
He is left out of the preliminary 30 man squad for the 2010 World Twenty20, he makes a come back in the 2010 Asia Cup and takes 4 wickets in 3 games.
He is included in the top category when the contract list is announced in march 2011
The same month Shoaib announces he will retire at the end of Pakistanâs Campaign in the 2011 World Cup, hence bringing down the curtains on an extraordinary, unique and a colourful Career.
The same month Shoaib announces he will retire at the end of Pakistanâs Campaign in the 2011 World Cup, hence bringing down the curtains on an extraordinary, unique and a colourful Career.
Shoaib Akhtar took 178 Test Wickets at 25.69, and 247 ODI wickets at 24.97.
Shoaib Akhtar now has a really interesting Youtube Channel with 2.39 Million Subscribers as if 6 Jan 2021
His âAirPlaneâ Celebration is one of the most famous in Cricket History
His âAirPlaneâ Celebration is one of the most famous in Cricket History
The Rawalpindj Express
The Tiger
The Fastest Bowler in Cricket
The Legend
The Shoaib Akhtar
The Tiger
The Fastest Bowler in Cricket
The Legend
The Shoaib Akhtar
This Thread was inspired by the amazing work of @Qalanadar2 and the player for the thread was suggested by @MaharSpeaks
A huge thanks to both these Gents.
A huge thanks to both these Gents.
