The former Pakistan bowler, Shoaib Akhtar is a name that used to frighten batsmen. Once he bowled at a speed of 161.3 kmph in the 2003 world cup. He was a premier pace bowler for Pakistan claiming 444 international wickets in 224 matches.
On his 43rd birthday, CricInshort looks at some his top performances:
118/8 against India [1st match-Asian Test Championship, 1999]
Akhtar announced his arrival in international cricket in a test match against India. He took big wickets of Rahul Dravid (twice), clean bowled Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman. His heroics stunned the entire crowd at Kolkata.
82/8 vs. Australia [First Test in Colombo, 2002]
Despite Pakistan losing the game by 41 runs, Akhtar’s performance is one to remember. He took a five-wicket haul for just 21 runs in the second innings against Aussies. He bowled out players like Ricky Ponting, Mark Waugh, and Adam Gilchrist.
5/25 vs. Australia [3rd ODI in Brisbane, 2002]
A top performance for Pakistan led by Shoaib Akhtar broke the middle-order of Aussies. The hosts, Australia were bowled out for 165 runs in 40 overs.
It includes the likes of R Ponting, D Martyn, D Lehmann, M Bevan. Pakistan won the match by 91 runs while defending a total of 256.
6/11 vs NZ [1st Test in Lahore, 2002]
Shoaib Akhtar’s best test performance came in the above game. Akhtar left the Kiwis in havoc. The tourists were reduced to just 73 runs in their 1st innings.
He scalped 6 wickets for just 11 runs in 8.2 overs. Pakistan won the game by a big margin of an innings and 324 runs after posting 643 runs in their first innings.
78/11 vs NZ [2nd Test in Wellington, 2003]
Shoaib Akhtar picked 5 wickets for just 48 runs in the first innings and followed it with 30/6 in the second innings as the hosts were twice bowled out for 366 & 103 runs. Pakistan won the match by 7 wickets.
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