Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar on Tuesday announced the birth of a baby boy on Twitter.

The 40-year-old fast bowler expressed his happiness in a tweet as he announced that he and his wife had been 'blessed with a healthy baby boy.'

"The most prized catch my hands have ever, ever held on to... what a feeling!" Akhtar exclaimed.

He told fans that his wife and the baby were fine and, referring to himself by the nickname given to him in tribute to his hometown, Akhtar added, "Rawalpindi Express is a proud papa."