Shoaib Akhtar, famously known as the “Rawalpindi Express,” had a remarkable career in cricket. Bursting onto the scene with his lightning-fast deliveries, he terrified batsmen around the world. Shoaib Akhtar bowling speed – his raw pace and aggressive bowling style made him a force to be reckoned with. Throughout his career, he delivered some of the fastest balls ever recorded in cricket history, often exceeding 150 kilometres per hour.
His career was marked by numerous memorable moments, including his fierce rivalries with top batsmen like Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting. Akhtar’s ability to swing the ball at high speeds added another dimension to his already formidable arsenal. Despite battling injuries and controversies throughout his career, he remained a key player for Pakistan.
Shoaib Akhtar Fastest Delivery
Shoaib Akhtar’s fastest delivery is the stuff of cricketing legend. On February 22, 2003, during a group stage match of the Cricket World Cup against England in Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa, Akhtar unleashed a thunderbolt that clocked at a staggering 161.3 kilometres per hour (100.23 miles per hour). This delivery shattered the previous record for the fastest ball ever bowled in cricket history.
Read More: Fastest Ball in Cricket History
Akhtar’s record-breaking delivery not only stunned the cricketing world but also solidified his reputation as the fastest bowler of all time. His remarkable feat remains unmatched to this day.
The match was a one-sided contest, with Pakistan ultimately emerging victorious by 112 runs. Batting first, Pakistan posted a formidable total of 273/7 in their allotted 50 overs. The highlight of Pakistan’s innings was Saeed Anwar’s splendid century, scoring 107 runs off 104 balls. Supported by valuable contributions from Inzamam-ul-Haq and Younis Khan, Pakistan set a challenging target for England.
In response, England faltered against Pakistan’s bowling attack and could only muster 161 runs before being bowled out in 39.1 overs. Marcus Trescothick was the top scorer for England with 37 runs.
However, Pakistan’s bowlers, led by the fearsome Akhtar, dominated the proceedings. Akhtar’s record-breaking delivery, clocked at 161.3 km/h, epitomized his sheer pace and aggression. He finished with figures of 3 wickets for 46 runs, dismantling England’s batting lineup with his ferocious bowling. Abdul Razzaq and Waqar Younis also made significant contributions with two wickets each.
Suggested Read: Best Bowling Figures in ODIs History
International Career of Shoaib Akhtar
Shoaib Akhtar made his international debut for Pakistan in November 1997, in a Test match against the West Indies. He picked up 2 wickets in that match, and his raw pace and potential were evident. He quickly became a regular feature in the Pakistan team across all formats of the game.
In Test cricket, Akhtar played 46 matches and claimed 178 wickets at an average of 25.69. His best bowling figures in an innings were 6/11, and he had five-wicket hauls on 12 occasions.
In ODIs, Akhtar played 163 matches, taking 247 wickets at an average of 24.97. He was known for his ability to strike early in the innings and provide crucial breakthroughs for his team. His best ODI bowling figures were 6/16, and he achieved a remarkable economy rate of 4.78 runs per over.
In T20Is, Akhtar featured in 15 matches and claimed 19 wickets at an average of 25.73.
Further Read: Five Fastest Bowlers in India
Conclusion
Shoiab Akhtar’s intimidating pace played a significant role in dismantling England’s batting lineup in the 2003 World Cup match. The sheer speed and ferocity of his bowling made him a force to be reckoned with throughout his career, and his fastest delivery will forever be remembered as a moment of cricketing brilliance.
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FAQs about Bowling Speed of Shoaib Akhtar
Q) What is Shoaib Akhtar average bowling speed?
A) Shoaib Akhtar had an average bowling speed that consistently hovered around the high 140s to mid-150s kilometres per hour. His raw pace made him one of the fastest bowlers in cricket history, striking fear into the hearts of batsmen worldwide.
Q) What is Shoaib Akhtar bowling speed record?
A) Shoaib Akhtar holds the record for the fastest delivery ever bowled in cricket history. During a group stage match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 against England, Akhtar unleashed a thunderous delivery that was clocked at an astounding 161.3 kilometres per hour.
Q) What are some of the fastest deliveries bowled in cricket history?
A) The fastest deliveries in cricket history are led by Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar, who bowled at 161.3 km/h against England in 2003. Following closely are Australia’s Shaun Tait and Brett Lee, both delivering at 161.1 km/h.
Jeffrey Thomson was the first to breach the 160 km/h mark in 1975. Other notable fast bowlers include Mitchell Starc, Andy Roberts, Fidel Edwards, Mitchell Johnson, and Mohammad Sami. The most recent addition to the list is India’s Mayank Yadav, who clocked 156.7 km/h in the IPL 2024.
