Jan 20, 2023, 20:05 IST

Watch! Shoaib Akhtar reacts to a ball delivered at 100 miles per hour

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Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar is well known around the world for his express pace bowling. During the late 1990’s till early 2010’s, Akhtar enjoyed a pace battle with Brett Lee and Shane Bond. During the 2003 world cup which was played in South Africa, the then 27 year old grabbed the eyes of the world. Akhtar bowled a ball at 161.3 KPH or over 100 miles per hour to break the record for the fastest ball bowled.

Shoaib Akhtar’s reaction to a ball bowled at 100 MPH –

Shoaib Akhtar recently took to Twitter and posted a short 33 clip video. The video begins with his own time as an active cricketer full steam and knocking over the wickets. The former pacer captioned it by saying “tap to see what happens when the speed gets to 100”


Shortly into the video, Shoaib can be seen telling a guy manning the bowling machine to crank up the speed to 100 miles per hour. The man in question does what was asked as the balls just whizzed past. Shoaib Akhtar who was standing half way down the pitch had the look of disbelief on his face.

Akhtar’s record under threat –

Nick Knight was the batter when Akhtar bowled the ball which was clocked at 161.3 KPH. That had taken place nearly 20 years ago during the 2003 world cup which was held in South Africa. while many bowlers have made claim to try and break the record by Akhtar, there is a genuine contender in place now.

India’s Umran Malik has been generating a lot of speed and had recently clocked 155 KPH during a T20 game against Sri Lanka. Malik had clocked 157 KPH during the TATA IPL 2022 season while playing against Delhi capitals. According to many experts, if Akhtar’s record is to be broken it could be done by Umran Malik of India.

Akhtar’s career records –

Shoaib Akhtar’s career is riddle with injuries and problems pertaining to his action. When in form and rhythm there was no better sight to see the Rawalpindi Express in full steam. Akhtar made his test in 1997 versus West Indies at his home ground in Rawalpindi.

Akhtar played 46 test matches picking 178 wickets with a best of 6/11 in 2003 against New Zealand. He had 12 five wicket hauls and 2 occasions of ten in the game. Akhtar also played 163 ODI games picking 247 wickets with a best of 6/16 which was one of the 4 times he took 5 wickets in a game. In the T20 format he played 15 games and took 19 wickets with a best of 3/28 and an economy of 8.1. Akhtar also played 3 games in the IPL for KKR and picked 5 wickets with a best of 4/11 versus Delhi on his debut. 

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