The cricketing world remembers Shoaib Akhtar, fondly dubbed the ‘Rawalpindi Express’, as one of the fiercest fast bowlers of his era. For nearly twenty years, his rapid pace sent shivers down the spines of some of the best batters in the game. Greats like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag have confessed that facing Akhtar was nothing short of a formidable challenge.
In a recent candid chat, the Pakistani cricket legend divulged an amusing anecdote about his interaction with Brendon McCullum, the former New Zealand skipper, who once attempted to charge him down the wicket.
Recollecting the moment, Akhtar said, "Once McCullum walked down the pitch against me. I went to him and asked him 'Hey, you got a good eyesight?' He said 'Yes I have, why?' I said, 'Do I look like a Shoaib Malik to you?' (laughs). 'You can't walk down to me. I'll throw a beamer at you; I'll kill you. If not here then definitely at the hotel. I'll definitely kill you.' (laughs)," as he shared on the 'Wake up with Sorabh' YouTube show.
However, the luminary's cricket journey wasn't devoid of challenges. Frequent knee injuries plagued Akhtar, truncating a promising career. Reflecting on his career's trajectory, the pace maestro expressed, "I could've become the greatest fast bowler in the history of the game, but my knees did not support me. My physical fitness was such that I was in agony. I had to go through 12 operations on my knee including a knee replacement last year, and I am still struggling." But his unwavering spirit persisted. Drawing an analogy, he mentioned, "But I always believed in running in hard and putting up a good show, just like a modern-day gladiator. I always believed that people need to remember who I was."
Shifting gears post-retirement, Akhtar has carved a niche for himself in the digital realm. Through his YouTube channel, he offers keen insights, reviewing international matches, league games, and the current state of Pakistani cricket. In an age where cricketers transition to commentary or coaching, Akhtar's foray into the world of digital content showcases his adaptability and continued passion for the sport.
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