Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar turns 45, ICC calls him 'one of the fastest bowlers ever'

Picture: Twitter/@ICC

Former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is celebrating his 45th birthday on Thursday (August 13). Shoaib, who is popularly known as Rawalpaindi Express, will always be remembered for delivering the 'fastest recorded ball' in the history of cricket when he succeeded in crossing the 100 miles per hour mark.

Shoaib bowled the 'fastest recorded ball' against England in a Cricket World Cup match in 2002. The Rawalpindi Express was bowling his second over when he delivered the balls at the speed of 153.3km/h, 158.4km/h, 158.5km/h, 157.4km/h, 159.5km/h and 161.3km/h, with the average speed being 158.06 km/h. Shoaib had bowled that maiden over to English batsman Nick Knight.

International Cricket Council (ICC) also wished Shoaib on his 45th birthday and said that he is one of the fastest bowlers ever to play the game of cricket.

 46 Tests, 163 ODIs, 15 T20Is
438 international wickets
25.02 average
 36.04 strike-rate

Happy birthday to one of the fastest bowlers ever, Shoaib Akhtar  pic.twitter.com/T3vK3Q2Fw5 — ICC (@ICC) August 13, 2020

Shoaib played 46 Tests, 163 ODIs and 15 T20Is for Pakistan and claimed 438 international wickets at an average of 25.02. His strike was 36.04.