Shoaib Akhtar - Interesting Facts, Trivia, And Records About 'Rawalpindi Express'

Shoaib Akhtar, who celebrates his birthday on 13th August, has probably been one of the fastest bowlers to play cricket. Even the top batters faltered when the 'Rawalpindi Express' bowled at his best. 

Here are some interesting facts, trivia, and records about Shoaib Akhtar: 

1) Akhtar was born in 1975, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Since he bowled so fast that he was named the 'Rawalpindi Express'. 

2) To strengthen his muscles, Shoaib Akhtar used to throw stones from mountains as a child. 

3) In the early 2000s, Shoaib Akhtar and Australia's Brett Lee were probably the fastest bowlers at that time. Akhtar, during the 2003 World Cup, delivered a ball at the speed of 161.3 kmph. 

4) Shoaib Akhtar has always remained in the news, mostly for his controversial statements and actions. Akhtar once hit his teammate Mohammad Asif with a bat which led to him being reprimanded by Pakistan Cricket Board(PCB). The duo of Akhtar and Asif were once shown the way out of the team when they failed a dope test. 

5) The batters didn't feel comfortable when Akhtar bowled to them but there was one batter against whom the Rawalpindi Express used to get derailed. The fast bowler once revealed in an interview that Rahul Dravid was the most difficult batter he bowled against. 

6) When Sachin Tendulkar smashed Shoaib Akhtar for a six in the 2003 World Cup, the bowler told captain Waqar Younis that he won't be bowling as long as Sachin is batting. However, it was Akhtar only who dismissed Sachin in that match. 

7) The Rawalpindi Express played for Kolkata Knight Riders(KKR) in the first season of the IPL. Akhtar bowled a spell of 4/11 against Delhi Capitals(then Delhi Daredevils). It is still one of the best bowling efforts in IPL history. 

8) Shoaib Akhtar played 46 Test Matches in which he took 178 wickets while in 163 ODIs, he ended up picking 247 wickets.