Cricket fans in Bangladesh have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of legendary Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar, and the excitement reached fever pitch last Sunday when the “Rawalpindi Express” landed in Dhaka. Akhtar has joined the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) side Dhaka Capitals as a mentor, bringing his decades of international experience and record-breaking pace to the franchise.
Speaking at a press conference in Banani, Dhaka, Akhtar expressed his deep affection for Bangladesh and shared candid insights about his career, fast bowling philosophy, and personal favourite deliveries. Questions naturally focused on his international career highlights, preferred techniques, and memorable wickets—a topic that captured the imagination of cricket enthusiasts everywhere.
Over his illustrious 14-year international career, Akhtar played 46 Tests, taking 178 wickets; 163 One Day Internationals with 247 wickets; and 15 T20Is, claiming 19 scalps. Asked about his three most cherished deliveries before retiring in the 2011 World Cup, the former speedster revealed a mix of humour and nostalgia.
“My three favourite deliveries?” Akhtar chuckled. “Firstly, dismissing Sachin Tendulkar; secondly, a bouncer that shook Brian Lara; thirdly, a fast delivery to hit Gary Kirsten’s chest… Just kidding! Seriously, my best three were: getting Sachin out in Colombo, bowling Adam Gilchrist for a yorker in 2002, and a high-speed delivery to dismiss Jacques Kallis in my third or fourth Test.”
Akhtar also reflected on the joys of fast bowling, advising young pacers to embrace the experience fully. “Enjoy every moment of your bowling. A long run-up, flowing hair, an open shirt—it’s not just cricket, it’s an event. Each ball is a spectacle. Make sure you put on a show for the people watching, while focusing on taking wickets, not causing harm.” He candidly added that he regrets any discomfort caused to batsmen like Tendulkar and Lara by aggressive bouncers.
When asked to compare his era to the current generation of pacers, Akhtar acknowledged the challenges posed by T20 cricket and continuous travel. “Today’s players rarely get extended periods of rest to bowl at full pace. With six months of focused preparation, it’s possible to deliver the fastest balls, but the level of aggression we had is largely absent in modern cricket,” he remarked.
Shoaib Akhtar’s Career Summary
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 46 | 178 | Key wickets: Tendulkar, Kallis, Gilchrist |
| ODI | 163 | 247 | Fastest deliveries in international cricket |
| T20I | 15 | 19 | Explosive pace, mentoring impact |
Shoaib Akhtar’s presence in the BPL not only adds star power but offers Dhaka Capitals’ players a rare opportunity to learn from one of cricket’s fastest-ever bowlers. His stories, advice, and reflections on pace bowling promise to inspire both young cricketers and fans alike.