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Waqar About this sound pronunciation (help·info); Urdu: شعیب اختر‎;(born 13 August 1975) is a Pakistani former cricketer who is regarded as one of the fastest bowlers in modern cricket. He made his Test debut in November 1997 and played his first One Day International four months later. He played on Pakistan's Cricket Team as an attacking fast bowler.

He has been involved in several controversies during his career, often accused of not being a team player but his presence was always felt by the opponents. Akhtar was sent home during the Test match series in Australia in 2005 for alleged poor attitude. A year later, he was embroiled in a drug scandal after testing positive to a banned substance. However, the ban imposed on him was lifted on court appeal. In September 2007, Akhtar was banned for an indefinite period for his fight with Pakistan team mate and fast bowler Mohammad Asif. On 1 April 2008, Akhtar was banned for five years for publicly criticizing the Pakistan Cricket Board. In October 2008, the Lahore High Court in Pakistan suspended the five-year ban and Akhtar was selected in the 15-man squad for the Twenty20 Quadrangular Tournament in Canada. Pakistani judge Rana Bhagwandas once stated that Akhtar is a legend of Pakistan cricket. Akhtar retired from international cricket after the 2011 World Cup.

Early years[edit]

Akhtar was born in a small town near Rawalpindi, Punjab in Pakistan and belongs to Punjabi Gujjar Community. His father was a plant operator in Attock Oil Refinery, Morgah. Akhtar started his studies at Elliott High School, Morgah and then took admission in the Asghar Mall College, Rawalpindi, but then he moved to Karachi along with his family for further education. Career[edit]

International career[edit] Akhtar's run of impressive performances started in the 1990s. In 1999, during a pre-World Cup series against India, he rose to prominence. It was followed by outstanding bowling performances in Sharjah and later in 1999 Cricket World Cup. His most significant performance was in India in 1999 when he captured eight wickets in the Asian Test championship match at Calcutta – including the wickets of Indian batsmen Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar when he bowled both batmsen off successive deliveries. It was the first ball he ever bowled to Tendulkar.

In 2002, he was selected for the Pakistan team against Australia and achieved success. However he performed poorly during the 2003 Cricket World Cup and after the tournament he was dropped from the Pakistan squad. He was selected back into the Pakistan squad in the 2004 Test match series against New Zealand, but struggled in a losing Test series against India in 2004. The series ended with a controversy when he left the field citing an injury leading to suspicions by former Pakistan captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq, about his commitment to the team. As a result, his relationship with Inzamam-ul-Haq and former Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer deteriorated. A medical panel was set up by the Pakistan Cricket Board to investigate the nature of his injury, however Pakistan officials dispelled all suspicions.

In 2005, Akhtar regained his reputation as a fast bowler for his side. Playing in a three Test home series against England, he made a series of impressive bowling performances. His effective use of slower deliveries proved to be unplayable by the English batsmen. Akhtar emerged as the highest wicket taker of the series with seventeen wickets. His comeback was also remarkable as prior to his return, he had been criticized from all corners-such as by the Worcestershire chairman John Elliot for his celebrity attitude and lack of commitment to team. His performance was also acknowledged by the English captain Michael Vaughan, who remarked "I thought he (Shoaib) was a big difference between the two teams". He is also known as one of only three bowlers to have ever broken the 100 mph barrier in cricket history, with a delivery of 100.2 mph, during the 2003 World Cup against England, and this delivery stands as the fastest recorded to date.

Fast bowling[edit] Shoaib Akhtar is one of the fastest bowlers in cricket. Akhtar has a number of fast bowling records. He has bowled at speeds of 161.3kph, 160kph 3x, 159kph and 158.4kph. The fastest three were against New Zealand in 2002 and the other three were against Sri Lanka in 2002 also. He was the first bowler in the history of cricket to have been recorded to bowl over 100 mph, though there were suggestions that others may have achieved the feat prior to the speed being recorded, notably his fellow team mate Mohammed Sami, who was timed 100.08mph against India.

Struggle for form and consistent injuries (2007–2009)[edit] On 29 October 2007, Akhtar made his return to cricket, from his 13 match ban and performed well, taking 4 wickets for 43 runs against South Africa in the fifth and deciding One Day International series in Lahore in Pakistan. Subsequently, he was included in the 16 man Pakistan squad for the 2007 tour of India, which he completed successfully without further incident and injury.

Rehabilitation and final years (2010–2011)[edit] Akhtar made a return to international cricket albeit in the shorter format of the game. In May 2010, PCB named him in a list of 35 probables for the Asia Cup. On 15 June 2010, Akhtar made his return, taking 3 wickets for 28 runs in the first match of the Asia Cup against Sri Lanka. He narrowly missed out a spot in the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 in place of the injured Umar Gul.

In July 2010, he was selected for the Twenty20 series against Australia but the selectors decided not to play him in the Test squad so that he would not get injured. He was subsequently selected for the ODI and Twenty20 series against England in September 2010.

Akhtar returned to the national side representing the country against England in the Twenty20 International. He bowled an impressive spell and returned with figures of 2 wickets for 23 runs. He continued to bowl well in the ODI series in the absence of regular fast-bowlers, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, who were suspended by the International Cricket Council amid allegations of Spot-fixing. Despite his relatively good bowling form, Pakistani coach Waqar Younis insisted that the bowling attack must not become reliant on Akhtar, as he is 35 years of age and fitness troubles continue to affect him. Akhtar was selected for the tour of New Zealand and started his campaign off well with 3 wickets on Boxing Day in the first of two Twenty20 Internationals against New Zealand.

Akhtar was selected in Pakistan's 15-man squad to play in the 2011 World Cup hosted by Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka in February to March. During the tournament, he announced that he would retire from international cricket at the end of the World Cup. In September, Akhtar released his autobiography, Controversially Yours.

Domestic career[edit]

England county cricket[edit]

Shoaib Akhtar signing an autograph for his fans. Akhtar has played for three English county cricket clubs, including Somerset in 2001, Durham in 2003 and 2004 and Worcestershire in 2005. He did achieve his moments of success, such as taking 5 wickets for 35 runs for Durham against Somerset in the National League in 2003 and claiming 6 wickets for 16 runs in the same competition for Worcestershire against Glamorgan two years later, but he suffered from fitness problems, as well as a perception that he was less than interested in his task. This was particularly the case at Worcestershire: chairman John Elliott said "Players like that are no good to our club. In fact, Akhtar has been no good for any club he's been at. He's a superstar and just does what he wants."

Indian Premier League[edit] Akhtar made a successful return to cricket in his first game in the Indian Premier League, playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders against the Delhi Daredevils. Defending a low score of 133 runs, Akhtar took four top order wickets which ultimately led to the Daredevils being restricted to 110 runs. He ended with figures of 4 wickets for 11 runs from three overs, a performance which earned him the player of the match award. Akhtar denied that he had any point to prove with his performance, stating, "I just wanted to win the game." Knight Riders' captain Sourav Ganguly also acknowledged Akhtar's performance, "He came to the country with lots [of things] happening behind him...But he showed a lot of character." It has been widely reported that the Knight Riders have released Akhtar from his contract due to his injury history but the Knight Riders' officials have denied these reports and said they are still in talks with the fast bowler.

He has also played for Cyclones of Chittagong in Bangladesh's NCL T20 Bangladesh.

Cricket controversies and injuries[edit]

Akhtar's career has been plagued with injuries, controversies and accusations of poor attitude. After rising into international stardom at a young age due to his speed, due to his interesting personality and charisma glamour seemed to follow him, some say at the detriment of his sporting focus. Although he eventually crossed the 100 mph barrier, his attitude took its toll on his reputation as well as his fitness. After a poor performance in the 2003 Cricket World Cup, he got involved in a verbal conflict with former Pakistan captain and fast bowler Waqar Younis. Later on Akhtar was sacked along with other players, including Younus. In a triangular series in 2003 held in Sri Lanka, he was caught tampering with the cricket ball, making him the second player in cricket to be banned on ball tampering charges. The same year he was banned for one Test match and two One Day International matches for abusing South African spin bowler Paul Adams, during a match against South Africa.

In the 2004 home series with India, he struggled with wrist and back injuries, which raised questions about their commitment to the team. His relationship with the captain and the coach deteriorated further partially due to team politics.

He was sent back from the 2005 Australia tour with a hamstring injury amid rumors of indiscipline, lack of commitment and attitudinal complaints. He was subsequently fined by the Pakistan Cricket Board for avoiding a late night curfew. The rest of his cricketing career was riddled with ankle and knee injuries which forced him to undergo a surgery in February 2006, until finally he was banned for two years for allegedly using performance enhancing drugs.

In November 2006, an officer assigned to the Pakistan team in India, Anil Kaul, alleged that Akhtar had slapped former coach Bob Woolmer following a fight over the music to be played in the team bus on the eve of ICC Champions Trophy. Both Akhtar and Woolmer have strongly denied these allegations.

Drug scandal[edit] On 16 October 2006 Akhtar was suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board, along with Mohammed Asif after the pair were tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance nandrolone. They were consequently pulled out from the ICC Champions Trophy 2006. Former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman later stated that he had always suspected Akhtar of substance abuse due to his consistent "reservations" to drug tests. Former Pakistan captain Inzamam ul-Haq had also previously complained about Akhtar's drug abuse but was not reported to the Pakistan Cricket Board. Pakistan news reports state that federal capital police had arrested Shoaib along with drugs some three years ago.

Akhtar immediately declared his innocence and he declined knowingly taking any performance enhancing drugs. In a statement issued to the press, he claimed that he could never cheat team-mates or opponents. During a hearing with the Pakistan Cricket Board Anti-Doping Committee, he along with Asif maintained taking non-steroidal dietary supplements. He, however, failed to convince the committee of his innocence. In its report submitted to the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Anti-Doping Committee recommended a two-year ban.

On 1 November 2006 the Pakistan Cricket Board handed down a two-year suspension to Akhtar and a one-year suspension to Asif, banning them from professional cricket during the period. Shoaib had subsequently been added to Pakistan Olympic Association list of doping offenders. However, on 5 December 2006 represented by his lawyer Abid Hassan Minto, Akhtar was cleared on appeal.

Acquittal[edit] On 5 December 2006 Akhtar and Asif were acquitted by the tribunal appointed to review their appeals against the drugs ban imposed on them by an earlier committee. After a clear hearing from Akhtar's lawyer Abid Hassan Minto, the three-man committee, headed by Justice Fakhruddin Ebrahim, voted two to one in favour of the acquittal. Haseeb Ahsan, former Test cricketer and Ebrahim were in favour of the acquittal while the third member, Danish Zaheer, dissented. "Exceptional circumstances" were cited including discrepancies between the instantaneous offence charges of doping that were laid and the quick delivery of a very harsh verdict. The complete drug testing procedure was concluded to have been technically flawed as it did not follow standard procedures. Other established facts by the committee included that the duo were not aware of the banned drug to be present in their supplements because the Pakistan Cricket Board itself had not informed them of the dangers of contaminated supplements.

Both Akhtar and Asif were thankful to the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Nasim Ashraf for giving them a fair trial and their team mates, captain and coach for the moral support. However, in 2006, they did not play in the Test match series against the West Indies because the Pakistan Cricket Board has recommended that they play domestic games first to recover form and fitness.

However, WADA, the World Anti-Doping Agency, was to challenge Pakistan's decision to lift bans on fast bowlers Akhtar and Asif by taking the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland. The ICC, cricket's world governing body, has supported the WADA appeal adding that it was committed to a dope free game.

On 1 March 2007 Akhtar and Asif were ruled out of the Pakistani squad for the 2007 Cricket World Cup by team officials, minutes before the squad was to depart for the West Indies. The team management along with the Pakistan Cricket Board said their injuries were too severe to risk taking them to the Caribbean. Since neither of the two had been declared fit they had not undergone official doping tests.

On 2 July 2007 the Court of Arbitration for Sport dropped the case, ruling it had no jurisdiction to challenge the decision made by PCB.

On 21 May 2009, Akhtar was dropped from his country's World Championship Twenty20 squad supposedly because of genital viral warts, previously reported as a skin infection, however it was later confirmed that this was untrue, as the PCB giving false statements, with an aim to damage Akhtar's reputation.

Other controversies[edit] In August 2007, Akhtar was reported to have used foul language against Pakistan Cricket Board protesting the imposing of fine of Rs. 300,000 for indiscipline during the national camp in Karachi. In the week before the inaugural World Twenty20, held in South Africa, Akhtar was rumoured to have hit Pakistani team mate Mohammad Asif with a bat, leaving a bruise on his left thigh. According to sources, the two were involved in a dressing room spat which resulted in Asif being struck by a bat on his left thigh. Sources said the fight between the two started after Asif and Shahid Afridi disagreed with Shoaib that he shared the same stature as Imran Khan in Pakistan cricket and even ridiculed him for making such a comparison. The injury was not thought to be anything more serious than a bruise but a team investigation into the matter was pending. After the initial inquiry, it would found that Akhtar was at fault and he was subsequently recalled from the Twenty20 World Cup squad and was sent home. He was also banned for 5 matches by the Pakistan Cricket Board and a lifetime ban may also seem imminent. Akhtar later claimed that Afridi was responsible for the fight, saying "He made some ill remarks about my family. And I could not tolerate them." Afridi however, denied these allegations adding that Asif would have suffered more injuries but for his intervention. Even Asif chipped in saying that Akhtar was lying and that "Shahid Afridi had nothing to do with the fight." saying that "he has not apologised to me." Akhtar later patched up with his team mates including Afridi and Asif

On 1 April 2008 Akhtar was banned for five years for violating the players' code of conduct. The ban extended to all cricket for and in Pakistan. Despite the ban not preventing him from playing in the Indian Premier League, the IPL governing council decided not to allow Akhtar to play in the tournament until the end of the ban or unless it is lifted. IS Bindra, a member of the council, was quoted as saying, "Even though they [the PCB] have cleared him to play for IPL, we felt that international discipline needs to be respected." Meanwhile, Akhtar vowed to go to great lengths to fight the ban, "I will appeal, as is my right. If that fails I will go to court, if that fails then I will go to the Supreme Court." On 3 April, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Nasim Ashraf served a legal notice on Akhtar, calling on him to retract statements he made to a news channel, alleging the ban was punishment in return for refusing to give the chairman a share of his earnings from the Indian Premier League, Ashraf also sought damages of Rs100 million (approximately US$1.6 million) for "defaming him personally" and an additional Rs100 million to the Pakistan Cricket Board for "sullying the name of the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Pakistan Cricket team." A three-man appellate tribunal announced on 30 April that they had temporarily upheld Akhtar's five-year ban, deciding to revist the appeal hearing in June. Despite Akhtar's later retracting his claims and also issuing an unconditional apology for "any grief or embarrassment that may have been caused to the nation, particularly to the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf", Ashraf's legal counsel filed a Rs22 crore (approx US$3.37 million) defamation suit against Akhtar in a civil court in Lahore on 2 May. On 4 May, the Pakistan Cricket Board's appellate tribunal suspended the five-year ban for one month, until they reconvene on 4 June, allowing Akhtar to take part in the ongoing Indian Premier League. A day later, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced that they will no longer pursue the defamation suit following a reconciliation between Akhtar and chairman Nasim Ashraf at the house of Rehman Malik, a key political official, in Islamabad. "My honour has been vindicated and now the defamation lawsuit will not be pursued," Ashraf was quoted as saying.

On 4 September 2008, Akhtar was sent home by British immigration officials after landing at Heathrow airport without a valid working visa, authorities said he could not play without a working visa, though Akhtar had a valid visa to visit England but not a working visa, which is a prerequisite to play in county cricket. He subsequently obtained the necessary visa and returned to play with English county club Surrey.

Akhtar also threatened to sue the Pakistan Cricket Board after it was revealed that he had apparently contracted a sexually transmitted disease (genital warts), however, this claim was found to be false, with an aim by the PCB to damage his reputation, but he threatened to sue after the false statements presented by the PCB. . In July 2012, Akhtar accused the PCB stating that there was too much "politics" in the Board and some of its officials did not want Pakistani team to win.

International bowling records[edit]

Main article: List of international cricket five-wicket hauls by Shoaib Akhtar Test cricket: Ten-wickets in a match[edit] Ten-wicket hauls in Test match No.	Date	Match Figures	Match	Against	Venue	Ref 1	August 27, 2003dagger	10/80	25	 Bangladesh	Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar, Pakistan 2	December 26, 2003dagger	11/78	27	 New Zealand	Basin Reserve, Wellington, New Zealand Date – Starting date of the match dagger – Shoaib selected as "Man of the match" Career Best Performances[edit] as of 8 November 2010

Batting	Bowling Score	Fixture	Venue	Season	Score	Fixture	Venue	Season Tests	47	 Pakistan v India	Faisalabad	2006	6–11	 Pakistan v  New Zealand	Lahore	2002 ODI	43	 Pakistan v England	Cape Town	2003	6–16	 Pakistan v  New Zealand	Karachi	2002 T20I	4	 Pakistan v England	Cardiff	2010	2–11	 Pakistan v  Canada	Ontario	2008 FC	59*	KRL v PIA	Lahore (CCA)	2001	6–11	 Pakistan v New Zealand	Lahore	2002 LA	56	KRL v Habib Bank	Lahore	2003	6–16	 Pakistan v New Zealand	Karachi	2002 T20	14	Islamabad Leopards v Peshawar Panthers	Karachi	2006	5–23	Rawalpindi Rams v Quetta Bears	Lahore (CCA)	2005 Other Cricket Records[edit]

Akhtar holds the World record in ODIs for remaining not out on 12 successive innings. References[edit]

^ [1] ^ "PCB bans Shoaib Akhtar for an indefinite period". ^ Shoaib Akhtar gets 5-year ban for foul delivery | It's unfair ^ "Shoaib in for Canada, not Yousuf". ^ Rediffnews. "The law is equal for everyone in Pakistan". "I have little interest in cricket. People are crazy about cricket and we feel happy when our country wins. The names of Hanif Mohammad, Imran Khan, Shoaib Akhtar all come to my mind once I think about cricket. These are legends of Pakistani cricket" ^ "Speed is Shoaib's way of life". Rediff. Retrieved 3 November 2010. "We drive past the refinery with an escort into the wiry road, past the two-room quarters where Akhtar's father, a plant operator, once lived with his family" ^ "Bone scan puts Akhtar in the clear". 2004. Retrieved 2006-04-10. ^ "Vaughan – Batsmen to blame". 2004. Retrieved 2006-04-10. ^ Hamilton, Duncan (2009). Harold Larwood. London: Quercus. ISBN 978-1-84916-456-6. ^ Ravindran, Siddarth. "Shoaib Akhtar makes a respectable return". Cricinfo. Retrieved 15 June 2010. ^ Geo TV. "Shoaib Akhtar selected for ODI and Twenty20 series against England in September 2010". Jang News. Retrieved 26 August 2010. ^ James, Steve (7 September 2010). "Pakistan bowler Shoaib Akhtar breathes new life into cricket's fast show". London: Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 6 November 2010. ^ "Shoaib Akhtar can’t do miracle at this age: Waqar". Geo.tv. Retrieved 6 November 2010. ^ Samiuddin, Osman (17 March 2011). "Shoaib Akhtar to retire after World Cup". Cricinfo. Retrieved 17 March 2011. ^ "Shoaib Akhtar's Controversially Yours released". GEO Sports. 24 September 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2011. ^ Steve Pittard and John Stern (24 May 2007). "Dodgy overseas signings". Cricinfo. Retrieved 2007-05-24. ^ Indian Premier League – 35th match, Kolkata Knight Riders v Delhi Daredevils. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-14. ^ Shoaib leads Delhi drubbing. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-14. ^ I have no point to prove – Shoaib. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-14. ^ Knight Riders still in talks with Akhtar, 3 February 2009 ^ ABC Sport – Cricket – Pakistan's Akhtar fined for Australian disco jaunt ^ "Cricket". The Times Of India. ^ Cricinfo – Asif and Akhtar to return home ^ Staff writers and wires (16 October 2006). "Shoaib returns positive test". FOX SPORTS Australia. ^ "Cricket". The Times Of India. ^ Pakistan News Service – PakTribune ^ "Shocked Shoaib protests innocence". BBC News. 16 October 2006. Retrieved 23 May 2010. ^ Cricinfo – Sad but we had to make an example of Shoaib – Alam ^ Pakistan Cricket Board – official website ^ Cricinfo – Shoaib and Asif banned for drugs use ^ [2] ^ Cricinfo – Shoaib and Asif acquitted ^ Cricinfo – Shoaib and Asif acquitted ^ Cricinfo – Dope on the doping scandal ^ "Dope on the doping scandal | Pakistan Cricket News | Cricinfo.com". Content-usa.cricinfo.com. Retrieved 2010-06-18. ^ "BBC SPORT | Cricket | International Teams | Pakistan | Pakistan to face doping challenge". BBC News. 15 December 2006. Retrieved 2010-06-18. ^ "Search – Global Edition – The New York Times". International Herald Tribune. 29 March 2009. Retrieved 2010-06-18. ^ Shoaib and Asif out of the World Cup: ^ Court has no jurisdiction in doping case. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 2007-07-03. ^ Court cannot rule on Pakistan duo. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 2007-07-03. ^ "Shoaib pulled from World Twenty20 squad | Cricket News | ICC World Twenty20 2009 | Cricinfo.com". Content.cricinfo.com. Retrieved 2010-06-18. ^ "Shoaib uses foul language to protest PCB decision". ^ Shoaib hits Asif with bat, thrown out of team 8 September 2007 – The Indian Express ^ "Asif injured in dressing room spat by Akhtar". ^ Pakistan recalls Shoaib after Twenty20 World Cup bust up 7 September 2007 Reuters ^ Shoaib to be sent home after incident ^ Shoaib banned for five matches 8 September 2007 Daily Times ^ "Cricket-Pakistan's Akhtar accuses Afridi of instigating spat". Reuters. 8 September 2007. ^ Shoaib is not speaking the truth: Asif ^ Shoaib banned for five years. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-04. ^ Shoaib cannot play in IPL. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-04. ^ 'I have been victimised' – Shoaib. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-04. ^ Ashraf files legal notice against Shoaib. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-04. ^ Shoaib's five-year ban upheld. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-04. ^ Ashraf files defamation suit against Shoaib. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-04. ^ Shoaib cleared to play in IPL. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-04. ^ PCB softens stance on Shoaib. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-05. ^ Akhtar returns home after visa hitch. Cricdb.com. Retrieved on 2008-09-04. ^ Shoaib Akhtar's genital warts keep him out of Pakistan's World Twenty 20 squad. Retrieved on 2009-08-10. ^ "Shoaib Akhtar accuses ‘politicised’ PCB of ‘wanting team to lose’". 14 July 2012. ^ "Bangladesh in Pakistan Test Series – 2nd Test". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved October 21, 2012. ^ "Pakistan in New Zealand Test Series – 2nd Test". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved October 21, 2012. ^ http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/625328.html External links[edit]

Player profile: Shoaib Akhtar from ESPNcricinfo Player profile: Shoaib Akhtar from CricketArchive Shoaib Akhtar's Official Website www.skysports.com – Shoaib Akhtar's article