Munaf Patel: “Shoaib Akhtar lost both his knees and could not walk properly but he used to bowl at 155 kph in Asian conditions, only his madness helped him play for 14-15 years in cricket”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former India seamer Munaf Patel admitted it is truly remarkable that Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar was able to bowl at 155 kph despite losing “both his knees” and not being able to walk properly.
Akhtar is arguably the scariest fast bowler in the history of the sport as he tormented opposition batsmen with lethal bouncers, toe-crushing yorkers, and wicked fast pace.
In fact, the Rawalpindi Express still holds the record for the quickest ball bowled in international cricket at 161.3 kph (100.2 mph).
The 50-year-old represented his country in 46 Tests and took 178 wickets at an average of 25.69.
He also claimed 247 wickets in 163 ODIs at an average of 24.97.
As for his T20I career, he picked up 19 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 22.73.
“Shoaib Akhtar lost both his knees and could not walk properly but he used to bowl at 155 kph in Asian conditions, only his madness helped him play for 14-15 years in cricket,” Munaf was quoted as saying by Khel Shel on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The Pakistan team just finished playing a home series against South Africa, where they drew the Test series 1-1 and won both the T20I and ODI series 2-1.
They are now taking on Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series and hold a 1-0 lead.
After this, Pakistan will join a T20I tri-series with Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe from November 17 to 29.
Pakistan squad for Sri Lanka ODI Series: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah Khan, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha
Pakistan squad for Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe T20I Tri-Series: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Usman Tariq
Reserves: Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem