Shoaib Akhtar bowls two yorkers in a row to dismiss Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar: Watch

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar is widely hailed as one of fastest bowlers to have ever graced game. An active member of Pakistani pace department between 1997 and 2011, ‘Rawalpindi Express’ bagged 444 wickets across his 224 international appearances. Even after retirement, cricketer continues to make his presence felt as he is currently one of most popular YouTubers (over 2 million subscribers) from cricketing fraternity.

right-arm pacer turned 45 on Thursday, August 13. To commemorate Shoaib Akhtar birthday occasion, here is a look at one of his most devastating spells of fast bowling, where he accounted for wickets of two of Test cricket’s most prolific run-scorers, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid in back-to-back deliveries.

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Shoaib Akhtar castles Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar in 1999

A visiting Pakistani side faced India at Eden Gardens in February 1999 for an Asian Test Championship match. Shoaib Akhtar, who was d just 23 at time, showed plenty of skill to shatter a celebrated Indian batting line-up in ir first innings with figures of 4-71. Employing an enterprising display of hostile fast bowling, Akhtar even disturbed stumps of Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar with back-to-back brutal yorkers.

speedster backed up his first-innings recital with ar fiery four-wicket haul in India’s second innings. Much like first Indian innings, Shoaib Akhtar again accounted for wicket of Rahul Dravid, albeit caught behind. Pakistan eventually won contest by 46 runs.

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Shoaib Akhtar fastest ball

Apart from gaining legendary status, Shoaib Akhtar is also credited for bowling fastest delivery ever to be recorded in international cricket. During a group game against England at 2003 ICC World Cup, speedster clocked 100.2 mph (161.3 kmph). With his ripsrter in Newlands, Rawalpindi Express became first bowler to break 100 mph barrier twice in his career.

Shoaib Akhtar fastest ball, watch video

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Im credits: Cricket Australia Twitter