Former Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akhtar on Wednesday (1st June) said that he wanted to hit batters on the head with his pace so that they remember him whenever they look in the mirror.

Akhtar is arguably one of the best pacers the sport has witnessed. The fast-bowler has always hogged the limelight for his on-field antics and his pace was one the main reasons batters feared playing against him. 

Known as Rawalpindi Express, Akhtar broke numerous records, including being the first bowler to officially break the 100 mph speed barrier. He was mostly known for his aggressive personality and he many times hit batters with his ferocious bouncers.

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Speaking to Sportskeeda, Shoaib Akhtar said that he bowled bouncers because he loved watching batters jump like ‘monkeys’. He revealed that he wanted to hit batters on the head, which is a perk of being a fast bowler. 

"I bowled bouncers because watching batters jump like monkeys was heartening to see. Not going to lie, I wanted to hit batters on the head as I had the pace. This is the perk of being a fast bowler, it simply has to happen,” Shoaib Akhtar said. 

Akhtar said that he wanted to 'hit on the body' of the batters so that get the swelling and they remember him whenever they look in the mirror.

“The adrenaline rush is there, the hair is flying, the heartbeat is 185+, you would surely not bowl fuller. It should hit on the body, aalu dikhe jism pe (swelling should be seen on the body). Whenever the batter sees himself in the mirror, he should remember me. This is true love," he said. 

Akhtar represented Pakistan in 46 Tests, 163 ODIs, and 15 T20Is. He took 178 wickets in the longest format of the game and bagged 247 wickets in the 50-over format to go with 19 T20I wickets.

(Sportskeeda inputs)