Shoaib Akhtar (born 13 August 1975) is a former Pakistani
cricketer. Shoaib holds the record for being the fastest bowler in the
history of international cricket, he made his Test debut in November 1997 and played his first One Day International four months later. He played on Pakistan's Cricket Team as an attack bowler.
He has been involved in several controversies during his career,
often accused of not being a team player but his presence was always
felt by the opponents. Akhtar was sent home during the Test match series
in Australia in 2005 for alleged poor attitude. A year later, he was
embroiled in a drug scandal after testing positive to a banned
substance. However, the ban imposed on him was lifted on court appeal.
In September 2007, Akhtar was banned for an indefinite period for his
fight with Pakistan team mate and fast bowler Mohammad Asif.
On 1 April 2008, Akhtar was banned for five years for publicly criticizing the Pakistan Cricket Board.
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.
Pakistani judge, Rana Bhagwandas stated once that, Akhtar is a legend of Pakistan cricket.
He retired from international cricket after the 2011 World Cup.
International career
Akhtar's run of impressive performances started in the 1990s. In
1999, during a pre-World Cup series against India, he rose to
prominence. It was followed by outstanding bowling performances in Sharjah and later in 1999 Cricket World Cup.
There was no better sight in World Cricket than watching Akthar bowl at
full throttle during the late 90's and early 2000's. 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 and Sachin Tendulkar when he bowled, both batmsen off successive deliveries. Ironically it was the first ball he ever bowled to Sachin 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.
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 criticized 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".
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 101.3 mph, during
the 99 World Cup against England, and this delivery stands as the
fastest recorded to date.
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