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Shoaib Akhtar

The fastest bowler in the history of cricket, Shoaib Akhtar retired from international cricket after the 2011 World Cup. The former Pakistani pacer bowled the officially recorded fastest delivery against England, which clocked in at 161.3 km/h (100.2 mph) in speed. Controversy and Akhtar always walked hand-in-hand during his entire international career as cricketer. Akhtar made his Test debut against West Indies in front of home crowd at Rawalpindi in 1997 and made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe at Harare in 1998. In his controversy-laden career, he has been ban numerous times and was always accused of not being a team player. In his on and off career, he took 178 wickets in 46 Test matches and 247 wickets in 163 ODIs. With his flamboyant attitude and off the field demeanour, the 'Rawalpindi Express' will always be remembered as one of the most popular face of the contemporary cricket.

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shoaib akhtar News

'Salute to shoaib akhtar': Munaf Patel hails Pakistan pacer for sustaining 150kph over years

TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Apr 15, 2026, 14:56 (IST)

Speaking about how injuries affected his career and pace, Munaf said the system in place during his early years did not provide the required support.

Who is Sakib Hussain? Bihar pacer shakes RR on IPL debut; joins shoaib akhtar in elite list

TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Apr 14, 2026, 06:44 (IST)

Sakib partnered with another SRH debutant Praful Hinge (4/34), as Sunrisers Hyderabad registered a 57-run win in Hyderabad.

Drama in PSL: Zimbabwe's Sikandar Raza fires back at Pakistan's Imad Wasim over 'money' remark

TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Apr 15, 2026, 08:01 (IST)

The comments date back to last year, when Imad spoke about Raza’s late arrival for the PSL 10 final at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Raza had taken a partial leave from the Qalandars squad to play a one-off Test for Zimbabwe against England in Nottingham.

Praful Hinge scripts history in 19 years of IPL, becomes first-ever to ...

TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Apr 13, 2026, 23:00 (IST)

Debutant Praful Hinge etched his name in IPL history with a sensational opening over, claiming three wickets for ducks against Rajasthan Royals. The 24-year-old seamer from Vidarbha, picked for Rs 30 lakh, showcased remarkable potential, justifying Sunrisers Hyderabad's faith and announcing himself as a rising star.

'India have ruined cricket': shoaib akhtar slams India after historic T20 World Cup win

TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Mar 09, 2026, 11:50 (IST)

India's triumphant T20 World Cup victory over New Zealand has ignited global debate, with former Pakistan bowler shoaib akhtar controversially claiming India's dominance has 'ruined cricket.' Despite his criticism, Akhtar acknowledged coach Gautam Gambhir's role in fostering player confidence, a key factor in India's historic third title win on home soil.

How Azhar Mahmood played IPL despite Pakistan player ban since 2009 | Throwback

TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Mar 16, 2026, 16:59 (IST)

Mahmood played for Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) in the 2012 and 2013 seasons and later represented KKR in the 2015 season.

'Lost to Australia in 2023': shoaib akhtar says Ahmedabad pressure will haunt India in T20 World Cup final vs New Zealand

TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Mar 07, 2026, 05:00 (IST)

Former Pakistan cricketers shoaib akhtar and Umar Gul highlighted the immense pressure on India ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand. They cited the weight of fan expectations and India's recent struggles at the Narendra Modi Stadium, including losses in major finals, as potential challenges for the home team.

Not Shahid Afridi or shoaib akhtar: The Last Pakistan Star to Play an IPL Final | Throwback

TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Mar 13, 2026, 18:46 (IST)

Sohail Tanvir’s winning run in the 2008 IPL final symbolically marked the last meaningful appearance of Pakistani players in the league. After the 2008 Mumbai attacks, political tensions led to their exclusion from IPL auctions. Though Azhar Mahmood later played as a British citizen, Pakistani players remain effectively barred due to visa issues, political risk, and commercial pressures.

'Gautam Gambhir fought everyone': shoaib akhtar's stunning reveal on Sanju Samson's comeback

TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Mar 08, 2026, 06:00 (IST)

Former Pakistan bowler shoaib akhtar commends India coach Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir strongly advocated for Sanju Samson's inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad. Samson has since delivered exceptional performances. His batting has been a major highlight of the tournament. He has scored significantly and broken records. This has helped India reach the final.

Ex-Pakistan bowler shoaib akhtar calls England player 'Goron ka Hardik Pandya'

TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Mar 07, 2026, 12:06 (IST)

shoaib akhtar praised Will Jacks after his all-round effort against India national cricket team in the T20 World Cup semifinal, calling him “Goron ka Hardik Pandya.” Jacks took two wickets, including Sanju Samson, and scored 35 runs. Despite his performance, England lost by seven runs as India advanced to the final.

'Completely clueless management': shoaib akhtar blasts Pakistan, fires warning to Mohsin Naqvi

TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Mar 01, 2026, 14:57 (IST)

Former Pakistan pacer shoaib akhtar has slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board's leadership, calling the management "clueless" after their T20 World Cup exit. Akhtar highlighted flawed player selections, suggesting the team's consistent failures in ICC tournaments stem from a weak support structure around PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, urging him to seek better advice.

I stand by my words: shoaib akhtar after receiving notice from PCB legal advisor

ANI / May 01, 2020, 16:41 (IST)

shoaib akhtar on Friday said he stands by his comments that he made against Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its advisor Tafazzul Rizvi after the latter sent a notice to the former cricketer.

Time for PCB to honestly evaluate shoaib akhtar's remarks: Younus Khan

IANS / May 01, 2020, 11:37 (IST)

Former Pakistan skipper Younus Khan has come in support of shoaib akhtar who has accused the PCB's legal department of being incompetent.

shoaib akhtar prays in Delhi

Sep 26, 2011, 18:29 (IST)

shoaib akhtar prayed at Nizamuddin dargah this week

From ‘if India get knocked out’ to ‘Salman is not captaincy material’: shoaib akhtar’s meltdown after Pakistan loss goes viral

TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Feb 25, 2026, 14:13 (IST)

shoaib akhtar expressed intense disappointment following Pakistan's T20 World Cup defeat to England, criticizing captain Salman Ali Agha's leadership. England's victory, spearheaded by Harry Brook's century, shattered Pakistan's semi-final aspirations, leaving their tournament hopes dependent on other match outcomes.

"Lovely running into.." shoaib akhtar meets Shahid Kapoor at ILT20 opening ceremony

ANI / Jan 12, 2025, 11:22 (IST)

Pakistani cricketer shoaib akhtar met Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor at the opening ceremony of the ongoing International League T20 in UAE. The duo were accompanied by the Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh.

Did you know there was a time when shoaib akhtar kept a picture of Sonali Bendre in his wallet?

etimes.in / May 18, 2024, 12:04 (IST)

Pakistani cricket legend shoaib akhtar once confessed his intense admiration for Bollywood actress Sonali Bendre, even joking about kidnapping her if she rejected his proposal. Known for keeping her photo in his wallet, Akhtar's story has captivated fans, resurfacing during the ICC World Cup 2023. Despite his later denial, the tale highlights cross-border bonds between cricket and Bollywood.

'It’s not as if they are Malcolm Marshall': shoaib akhtar slams Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube after India's poor show

TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Feb 24, 2026, 06:00 (IST)

Former Pakistan pacer shoaib akhtar criticised India’s bowling after their 76-run loss to South Africa, calling the attack fragile and exposed. He slammed Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube for conceding 67 runs, saying they lacked pace and intimidation. Akhtar also criticised Varun Chakaravarthy’s costly spell and urged India to play Kuldeep Yadav, calling him the “missing link” and a proven match-winner.

shoaib akhtar takes 360-degree U-turn after calling Mohsin Naqvi 'illiterate'

TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Feb 17, 2026, 15:56 (IST)

shoaib akhtar's sharp criticism of PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi took a U-turn, with the former pacer claiming his remarks were misconstrued. Akhtar insisted his 'incompetent and illiterate' comments targeted broader administration issues, not Naqvi personally. He expressed frustration over the India boycott stance flip-flop, while also critiquing player selections and Pakistan's overall cricketing approach.