‘I’m going for wickets, not pace’

E-Paper | June 12, 2026

Despite not being as fast as he was until a few years ago, Shoaib Akhtar managed to cross the 159km/h barrier in the match against Sri Lanka. —AFP Photo

COLOMBO: Former tearaway Shoaib Akhtar admitted on Monday that age has dimmed his energy and desire to deliver the 100 mph toe-crunchers that once made him the world’s most feared fast bowler.

The charismatic but controversial Pakistan seamer, whose career has been plagued by injury and disciplinary problems, knows that, at 35, it is sense rather than speed that will get wickets.

“I left this race of bowling at 100 mph a long time ago. I am nearing 36 now and am more mature, so I am focusing (more) on getting wickets now than bowling fast,” said Akhtar, who broke the 100 mph barrier at the 2003 World Cup.

However, he added: “But I crossed 159 kmh (98 mph) the other day.”

Akhtar has played 162 ODIs with 246 wickets and 46 Tests, which yielded 178 wickets.

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Iqbal Merchant

Feb 28, 2011 07:20pm

Shoaib, Keep it up .This the rightway to get wicket.Do not go for bouncer outside the off stump. Attack on ribcage.Use your yorker and slowerball frequently.Try to use the crease,sometime near the stump other time away the stump.Keep in mind that this is ODI. When u delivered 5 good balls use the last ball inteligently i.e fuller length on off side at 6th wicket or keep goodlength delivery within the stump.

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maria

Feb 28, 2011 08:27pm

KEEP IT UP SHOAIB ,WELL DONE. WISH U ALL THE BEST FOR THE COMING UP MATCHES.ALLAH DEFINETLY HELP U.

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Jawwad

Mar 01, 2011 02:08am

Hit em hard Akhtar! I played cricket as a fast bowler. My first 2-3 balls in any over were simply meant to "hurt" the batsmen. Hit em where it hurts. Wicket will tumble.

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Asfandyar

Mar 01, 2011 11:21am

keep it up . ur doing great , u dunt have to play in every match either, what you did with mahela was FANTASTIC.

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Mohkamuddin

Mar 01, 2011 12:07pm

shoib is going to previous Rawalpindi express my pray with him Inshallah he will a big support to Pakistani team to achieve this tittle

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Croker

Mar 01, 2011 03:36pm

Yo shoaib, we owe india a heavy debt, we got knocked out twice by them in wcs, its payback time. Make them pay, make them pay Shoaib, such a debt can only be settled by beating them in the final. And Inshallah pakistan will beat india this time Go Pakistan! Go Shoaib Akhtar! Bowl Faster be fitter, coze you are defined by your sheer pace. Shoaib Akhtar- The Ruthless Ace!

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