When we talk of sheer pace in recent times, the name that stands out in a separate class of its own is that of Shoaib Akhtar. And why not? When it came to sheer pace, there were no one like him. The sight of him running into bowl, jumping in the air before releasing the ball at a serious pace, well it's just poetry in motion.
Be it Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara or Steve Waugh. On his best day, even these guys were no match for the Rawalpindi Express. It was not a ball, but a missile that came out of his hands. Batsmen had to rely more on instinct than sight to take him on. When facing Shoaib, survival was the top priority.?
Not that he has never had bad days, but more often than not, he was a nightmare for the best in the business. Finding his way into a side that had the legendary Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, Shoaib was the 3rd pacer who bowled at par if not better than the Sultans of Swing.?
A class bowler who never relied on the wicket. Deadly bouncers, lethal yorkers and a line and length which left the batsmen in two minds. Shoaib was a bowler who could intimidate the opposition even before he had bowled a ball. That is why he was so dangerous. Don't take our word for it. Take out these deadly deliveries and judge for yourself:?
?Had he been more consistent and less hampered by injuries, his record would have been much better. Nonetheless he terrorised some top class players for over a decade and that is really something worth remembering. ??