Shoaib Akhtar About this sound pronunciation (help·info); born 13 August 1975) is a former Pakistani cricketer, who is widely regarded as the fastest bowler of all time for bowling at speeds up to 161.3 km/h.[1][2] Considered as a legend in the all-time best pacers of the history of the game, Akhtar was nicknamed the "Rawalpindi Express", as a tribute to his hometown and fast bowling.

Akhtar made his Test debut in November 1997 as an opening fast bowler and played his first One Day International 3 months later.

Akhtar has been involved in several controversies during his career, often accused of not being a team player, but was also commended for significantly impacting games in Pakistan's favour. Akhtar was sent home during a Test match series in Australia in 2005 for alleged poor attitude. A year later, he was embroiled in a drug scandal after testing positive for the performance-enhancing substance nandrolone. However, the ban imposed on him was lifted on appeal. In September 2007, he was banned for an indefinite period for his fight with Pakistan team mate and fast bowler Mohammad Asif.[3] On 1 April 2008, Akhtar was banned for 5 years for publicly criticising the Pakistan Cricket Board.[4] 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.[5] Pakistani judge Rana Bhagwandas once stated that Akhtar is a legend of Pakistan cricket.[6] Akhtar retired from international cricket after the 2011 World Cup.