The mention of 'pacers' in the history of cricket will invariably bring to mind the name of Shoaib Akhtar. Known as the Rawalpindi Express, he was the first tearaway fast bowler to make his mark on the international cricket stage. While the legendary West Indies quartet of Andy Roberts, Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner, and Michael Holding set the standard for fast bowling, along with the likes of Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee, it was Akhtar's arrival that showcased the possibility of a bowler consistently delivering at speeds of 150 kph.

Debuting in 1997, Akhtar added to Pakistan's illustrious lineage of fast bowlers, which had already produced icons such as Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, and Waqar Younis. Over the course of his 14-year career, he participated in 163 One Day Internationals, 46 Test matches, and 15 T20 Internationals, amassing a total of 444 international wickets. Remarkably, this extraordinary journey almost did not occur. Akhtar, one of the most intimidating fast bowlers in history, disclosed that he was unable to walk at birth, being described as a 'cripple' during his early years. For eight years, he faced significant challenges in walking until a sudden transformation took place.

"A saint used to visit our home and foretold that a remarkable individual would emerge, gaining fame and recognition worldwide. My mother was anxious and inquired, 'Who will this person be? What will he accomplish?'" Akhtar recounted during a discussion on the India vs Pakistan rivalry.

"She informed me that at birth, I was crippled and could not walk. However, a miracle occurred when I turned nine, and I began to run. I was running as fast as lightning."

There's only one Shoaib Akhtar

The mention of 'pacers' in the history of cricket will invariably bring to mind the name of Shoaib Akhtar. Known as the Rawalpindi Express, he was the first tearaway fast bowler to make his mark on the international cricket stage. While the legendary West Indies quartet of Andy Roberts, Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner, and Michael Holding set the standard for fast bowling, along with the likes of Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee, it was Akhtar's arrival that showcased the possibility of a bowler consistently delivering at speeds of 150 kph.

Debuting in 1997, Akhtar added to Pakistan's illustrious lineage of fast bowlers, which had already produced icons such as Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, and Waqar Younis. Over the course of his 14-year career, he participated in 163 One Day Internationals, 46 Test matches, and 15 T20 Internationals, amassing a total of 444 international wickets. Remarkably, this extraordinary journey almost did not occur. Akhtar, one of the most intimidating fast bowlers in history, disclosed that he was unable to walk at birth, being described as a 'cripple' during his early years. For eight years, he faced significant challenges in walking until a sudden transformation took place.

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