Shoaib Akhtar played for Pakistan from 1997-2011.
Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar revealed a few interesting features about him on a podcast with Brett Lee. Famously known as “The Rawalpindi Express” in his playing days, Akhtar was the first bowler to officially break the 100mph speed barrier.
Akhtar, however, states he “never wanted to be a fast bowler” credited his “atom bomb” like energy to inspire to become one.
Former Pakistan bowler also said that as a child he was constantly called out by his friends but it helped him focus his energy towards his goal.
“(I) Never wanted to be a fast bowler. But I always believed that I am able to do something because I have energy like nobody. I have the energy of an atom bomb that needs to explode somewhere,” said Akhtar on a podcast with Brett Lee.
“I always used to tell my childhood friends that I am something. But the word from my childhood started from - ‘you can’t do it’. [sic]. The minute I started listening to that, I started getting that kick. That was the kind of environment that I was living in. But I said I will go through the walls,” he added.
Akhtar achieved tremendous success during his tenure with the Pakistan cricket team. He made his international debut in 1997 and soon made a name for himself due to his extreme pace.
He represented Pakistan in 46 Tests and 163 ODIs, where he took 178 and 247 wickets respectively.