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Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar, famously known as the “Rawalpindi Express,” is widely regarded as the fastest bowler in cricket history. He holds the record for the fastest delivery ever recorded in international cricket—161.3 km/h (100.23 mph) against England in the 2003 Cricket World Cup. His raw pace and aggressive bowling made him a nightmare for batters worldwide.
Former South African opener Herschelle Gibbs and Sri Lanka’s former cricketer Tillakaratne Dilshan said Akhtar was the fastest bowler during an interaction in a recent launch of the ICB Indian Corporate T20 Bash. The conversation over Akhtar’s pace also showcases the lasting impact the Pakistan speedster has had on the game.
While several fast bowlers have emerged in recent years, none have officially broken his speed record. Players like Mitchell Starc, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, and Umran Malik have bowled at extreme speeds, but Akhtar’s record remains unbeaten. “Akhtar was the fastest,” Gibbs told CricBlogger.
Gibbs’ comments perfectly sum up what made Shoaib Akhtar special—his ability to unleash sheer, raw pace in short, explosive bursts. Unlike Brett Lee, who was consistently fast over longer spells, Akhtar had an almost freakish ability to generate extreme speed, often touching the 150-160 km/h range at will. His unorthodox, slinging action, combined with his immense power and aggression, made him a nightmare for batters.
What set Akhtar apart was not just his speed but also his intimidating presence. He had an aura about him — whether it was his long, powerful run-up, his intense stare, or the way he charged in like a man on a mission. When he was at his peak, he could change the course of a match in just a few deliveries.
Even though Lee, Dale Steyn, and others were incredibly fast, Akhtar’s top-end speed and ability to bowl unplayable thunderbolts made him unique. It’s no surprise that players like Gibbs and Dilshan still remember him.
“Akhtar came and bowled in short bursts and gave everything on the field. He was very dangerous,” Gibbs said while adding that Akhtar was nothing but a freak when it comes to fast bowling.
Even former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee wasn’t as fast as Akhtar. “Lee was fast and relentless. He could bowl longer spells and equally fast. Akhtar was the fastest I have faced,” Gibbs added.
Truly, a compliment for Akhtar!
