On This Day: April 21, 2001 - Shoaib Akhtar with his best ODI bowling figures of 6/16 vs New Zealand

[Gotham Cronie]

After Mohammad Yousuf (then Yousuf Youhana) scored 125 in the 1st innings to get Pakistan's total to 275 in the 1st innings, Shoaib Akhtar put on a show of fast bowling that was as good as any in the 1st ODI in Karachi.

​

When Shoaib Akhtar was brought into the attack in the 13th over, New Zealand were 68/3 after early inroads by opening bowlers Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis,

What followed was a true sight to see. With speeds that got close to 97 mph, the Kiwi batsman were made to look like deer in headlights. Akhtar took a wicket in each of his first 3 overs, and bowled all 9 of his overs in a single spell.

He finished with 6/16 including disturbing the stumps 4 times as New Zealand were bowled out for 122 in 30 overs and Pakistan won by 153 runs.

In the process, Akhtar picked up his 100th ODI wicket in his 60th match which to this day, remains the 3rd fastest by a Pakistani bowler.

Match Scorecard:
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64765.html

 

[umerz]

I was there in the stadium...I was feeling bad for NZ team that's how ridiculous Shoaib AKhtar made them look like

 

[Gotham Cronie]

I was there in the stadium...I was feeling bad for NZ team that's how ridiculous Shoaib AKhtar made them look like

Must have been an amazing atmosphere!

 

[Supporter of Pak legends]

The statement that he bowled 9 of his overs is truly great considering the effort he had to put into bowling at them extraordinary speeds must have tired him out and also because throughout his career he had great problems with consistency and fitness.

 

[Bouncer]

The statement that he bowled 9 of his overs is truly great considering the effort he had to put into bowling at them extraordinary speeds must have tired him out and also because throughout his career he had great problems with consistency and fitness.

it is expected to bowl 9 overs for a fast bowler in an ODI.

 

[Supporter of Pak legends]

it is expected to bowl 9 overs for a fast bowler in an ODI.

Not in one spell it isn't.

I wrote it wrong but I meant to say that he bowled in one singular spell.

 

[Bouncer]

Not in one spell it isn't.

I wrote it wrong but I meant to say that he bowled in one singular spell.

OK - but when you are on a roll and are taking wickets...It is NOT odd for a bowler to keep going and try to take advantage of his rhythm that he has built in his spell to take enjoy the great day at work.

 

[Supporter of Pak legends]

OK - but when you are on a roll and are taking wickets...It is NOT odd for a bowler to keep going and try to take advantage of his rhythm that he has built in his spell to take enjoy the great day at work.

The amazing thing was that it was Shoaib Akhtar who must have been extremely tired bowling a long spell at them lightning speeds.

 

[Bouncer]

The amazing thing was that it was Shoaib Akhtar who must have been extremely tired bowling a long spell at them lightning speeds.

I do not understand the point that you are trying to make here. Is there even one?

 

[dhump]

watched this match in stadium Shoaib was absolutely brilliant I remember sitting right behind his run up was a stunning site.

 

[Supporter of Pak legends]

I do not understand the point that you are trying to make here. Is there even one?

The point is that it takes a huge amount of effort to consistently bowl at them speeds. Therefore, he must have been extremely tired even after 3/4 overs, never mind 9.

Why is this so complicated to understand?

 

[Abdullah719]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EVtOrZ-KdKE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>.

 

[Abdullah719]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EVtOrZ-KdKE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>.

That pace....

 

[Suleiman]

Good ol days when NZ was our bunny.

 

[Mueez]

Damn, what a spell!

Breaking the stumps and bowling those toe-crushers....

I wish to witness something like this live.

 

[panipaneer]

I do not understand the point that you are trying to make here. Is there even one?

He makes a very valid point. You're the one trying to undermine a bowling spell of nine overs on the trot.

 

[volcyz]

No bowler nowadays has the pace or aura of Akhtar

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OnThisDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OnThisDay</a> in 2002. Pace, aggression, yorkers and a broken stump as Shoaib Akhtar took 6-16 at the National Stadium Karachi helping Pakistan beat New Zealand by 153 runs <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/eJSklNxmNv">pic.twitter.com/eJSklNxmNv</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1252492408610271232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

What a sight that must have been to watch this game live! Shoaib Akhtar at his best

 

[MenInG]

Shoaib Akhtar in full flow - what a sight that was to behold.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Watched it live. 21 years have passed since then....

 

[gazza619]

Thats the fittest I have ever seen him in a spell.

Just imagine what he could have been if he had better fitness.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Thats the fittest I have ever seen him in a spell.

Just imagine what he could have been if he had better fitness.

This is the Shoaib I want to see against peak Virat Kohli.

 

[sweep_shot]

I saw it live.

Shoaib was at his peak then.