In a recent Netflix documentary, The Greatest Rivalry: India versus Pakistan, Pakistani veteran fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar revealed that he was born a cripple and couldn’t walk until the age of 9. Also known as the Rawalpindi Express, Shoaib Akhtar is regarded as one of the fierst fast bowler in the history of cricket.
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“A saint used to come to our house. So, he said, ‘One guy will come, who will gain fame and recognition all over the world. And my mother was worried. She asked, ‘Who will be that guy? Who will it be? What will he do?” said Akhtar. “She told me when I was born, I was crippled. I could not walk. But you know a miracle happened at the age of 9 and I started running. I was running as quick as light,” he added.
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Many fast bowlers can bowl or breach the 150 km/hr mark but what stood out to the Rawalpindi Express was his ability to constantly clock the 150 km mark in speedometer. He also holds the record for the fastest delivery in international cricket when 2003, he touched 161.3 km/hr during the World Cup against England at New Zealand, Cape Town in South Africa.
