Shoaib Akhtar is widely remembered for his impressive career in international cricket where he played 46 Tests, 163 ODIs, and 15 T20I matches for Pakistan from 1997-2011.

Akhtar’s speed and injury-prone body meant that he spent as much time on the sidelines as he did playing in matches. However, those who have played him in his prime can attest to the fact that on his day, Akhtar was as fast as lightning.

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Kevin Pietersen recalled one such spell from Akhtar during the 2005 England tour to Pakistan. “My first proper Test tour abroad was Pakistan. It was straight off the 2005 Ashes. That [tour] was frightening. The speed at which Shoaib Akhtar bowled in that series, my goodness!,” Cricket Pakistan quoted Pietersen as saying.   

The former England captain also revealed that it was Andrew Flintoff who fired up Akhtar by saying that he was not bowling that quickly and it was no use looking like Tarzan and bowling like Jane.

He added, "My goodness! The speed at which Shoaib Akhtar bowled in that Test series, oh my word! Crazy, he was bowling faster at five in the afternoon than he was in the morning. It was crazy, crazy."

Akhtar ended the series with 17 wickets to his name at 24.58 with the best bowling of 5/71.

(Cricket Pakistan inputs)