Pakistan speedster Shoaib 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”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Legendary Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has revealed that his mother told him that he was crippled when he was born.
He noted that he was unable to walk before a “miracle happened at the age of 9” when he began running.
Akhtar went on to have an illustrious international career as he represented Pakistan in 46 Tests and took 178 wickets at an average of 25.69.
The 49-year-old also featured in 163 ODIs and ended up with 247 wickets at an average of 24.97.
As for his T20I career, the Rawalpindi Express claimed 19 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 22.73.
It should also be noted that Akhtar still holds the record for the fastest ball ever bowled in international cricket at 161.3 kph (100.2 mph).
“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,” Akhtar said the Netflix series – The Greatest Rivalry: India vs Pakistan – as quoted by NDTV.
The Pakistan team recently took on New Zealand and South Africa in an ODI tri-series, and made it to the final before losing to the Black Caps.
Next up for the men in green will be the 2025 Champions Trophy, which will be played from February 19 to March 9.
Pakistan Squad for 2025 Champions Trophy: Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah
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