KEY HIGHLIGHTS
• Shoaib Akhtar claimed he was the least quickest among other fast bowlers in Pakistan before making his international debut
• Shoaib Akhtar said he was termed mad by people for thinking about replacing the legendary Waqar Younis
• Shoaib Akhtar is one of the best fast bowlers to have graced the game
Pakistan has been blessed with some of the finest fast bowlers, over the years. From the likes of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis to Shoaib Akhtar, the Men in Green have produced great pacers who have gone on to make a name for themselves in world cricket. Akhtar, who holds the record for the fastest ball ever bowled in international cricket, recently claimed he was the least quick among his competitors back in the day.
Akhtar made his debut for Pakistan in a Test match against West Indies in his hometown Rawalpindi in 1997. The pacer picked up two wickets in the Test match and there was no looking back for the Rawalpindi Express as he went to establish himself as one of the quickest bowlers in the history of cricket.
However, it was not an easy task for Akhtar to get into the Pakistan team despite being gifted with good pace and skils. During a chat with Sanjay Manjrekar for ESPN Cricinfo, Akhtar revealed he was the slowest among at least seven other fast bowlers in Pakistan when he was trying to break into the Pakistan side. He named former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Zahid as one fast bowler who was quicker than him.
"Back in the day, Mohammad Zahid, me and seven other fast bowlers, I am being very honest. I am telling you the fact and the truth. Out of seven fast bowlers then, I was the slowest bowler in Pakistan at that time. At the same time, they knew they were going to play for Pakistan," Akhtar told Manjrekar.
Akhtar further revealed he was termed 'mad' by many for thinking about replacing the legendary Waqar Younis. Akhtar said he picked up the good qualities from his competition and developed his fast bowling to learn the art of taking wickets.
"Now imagine I have to surpass those seven and then get past Wasim, Waqar. And I had to make a name for myself. So I picked up the best qualities of all these bowlers," said Akhtar.