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Shoaib Akhtar says that Salman Irshad has the potential to break his record for fastest ball ever

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Abdullah719

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Shoaib Akhtar has stated that Salman Irshad from Kashmir has the potential to break his record for the fastest delivery ever bowled <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/960607974820544515?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Pakistanis should avoid over hyping their players
It always backfires in the long run when they don’t meet your expectations

All the best Salman Irshad
 
I just hope this isn't like one of those Razzaq statements when he claimed Shehzad was more talented than Tendulkar. :srt:razzaq
 
stop trying to stay relevant

nobody cares about a bowler who can bowl 100mph but be injured 10 months of the year
 
Pakistan need bowlers who can use the new ball and make it count rather than having 100 mph bowlers.
This kind of mentality has destroyed Pakistan cricket.
 
And what did bowling the fastest ball achieve?

While a good emerging fast bowler is an exciting prospect for fans the world over, simply bowling the fastest ever ball is a questionable ambition and goal setting, IMO.
 
Maaf kardo bhai... I'd much rather have a 145-150kph bowler who is available for most of the matches and is a proper handful to play.


In case people are forgetting Akhtar used to have his share of bad days where he would be out-bowled by even Razzaq and Mahmood. In his mind, Akhtar is the greatest, most athletic pacer to ever play the game.
 
Syed1 said:
Maaf kardo bhai... I'd much rather have a 145-150kph bowler who is available for most of the matches and is a proper handful to play.


In case people are forgetting Akhtar used to have his share of bad days where he would be out-bowled by even Razzaq and Mahmood. In his mind, Akhtar is the greatest, most athletic pacer to ever play the game.
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Have you seen Akhtars record? I conclude your remarks to be inaccurate and offending. Everybody has had bad days but not many have had averages of 25 in ODI and test cricket. He was a match winner and one of a kind so lets appreciate this.
 
King-Misbah said:
Have you seen Akhtars record? I conclude your remarks to be inaccurate and offending. Everybody has had bad days but not many have had averages of 25 in ODI and test cricket. He was a match winner and one of a kind so lets appreciate this.
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Yeah not denying that he wasn't a match winner, however, Akhtar wasn't as good as he thinks he was. Also scores have progressively been higher in the last decade which is why Akhtar's 25 average seems impressive when viewed from the prism of present time. If Akhtar was playing in this era he would be averaging 30+.
 
Syed1 said:
Maaf kardo bhai... I'd much rather have a 145-150kph bowler who is available for most of the matches and is a proper handful to play.


In case people are forgetting Akhtar used to have his share of bad days where he would be out-bowled by even Razzaq and Mahmood. In his mind, Akhtar is the greatest, most athletic pacer to ever play the game.
Click to expand...

Shoaib may not have been available a lot of the time but when he was he was always a handful.His stats suggest he definitely was a great of the modern game. He has his issues with being flat footed and his bent elbow. Regardless of that was a great servant to Pakistan cricket and always gave his 100%. Mahmood and Razzaq may have outbowled him on an odd day but every player has good and bad days.
 
Let's have an Akhtar conference on PP.
We will ask him that what the point is behind his wise suggestions.
 
Syed1 said:
Yeah not denying that he wasn't a match winner, however, Akhtar wasn't as good as he thinks he was. Also scores have progressively been higher in the last decade which is why Akhtar's 25 average seems impressive when viewed from the prism of present time. If Akhtar was playing in this era he would be averaging 30+.
Click to expand...

It is absurd to say he would be averaging 30+. When ever Akhtar use to ball; there was a strong possibility of a wicket. Other fast bolwers including the likes of James Anderson who bowled in his era averaged more. Interestingly; Anderson got better over the years; may be the standards of batting decreased :s
 
Shoaib underachieved big time. He had an appalling work ethic and made terrible liefstyle choices where he would eat like the world was about to run out of food, and then a week before a series he would start to crash diet leaving him short of energy and hence the inevitable injuries during the series.
As far as the this young man goes, lets see. So far not one of the hyped up guys is anywhere the level of the hype bar young Afridi.
 
Syed1 said:
Yeah not denying that he wasn't a match winner, however, Akhtar wasn't as good as he thinks he was. Also scores have progressively been higher in the last decade which is why Akhtar's 25 average seems impressive when viewed from the prism of present time. If Akhtar was playing in this era he would be averaging 30+.
Click to expand...

I am afraid that this is complete nonsense. Akthar was one of the very best bowlers the world has ever seen. Granted he was injured a lot, but he was light years ahead of the medium pacers around today. Furthermore he played in an era where 300 was a par odi score and the quality of batsmen was sublime, so your theory that he somehow played in a lower scoring era is simply false.

Akther's era was Lara, Gilchrist, Hayden, Ponting, Langer, Sehwag, Tendulker, Dravid, VVS, Yuvi (in his prime), Inzi, Moyo, Younus, Graeme Smith, Kallis, Gibbs. Compare that to today - Smith, Kohli, Root and Williamson - out of that list, I'm not even sure Root and Williamson deserve to be there.

The fact is that when Akther was fit, he troubled everyone. He was a truly awesome bowler whose pace has never been matched by anyone, past or present. He may have had all sorts of problems, but suggesting that he was anything other than a truly one of a kind world class all time great bowler, is denying the truth.
 
Usman said:
I am afraid that this is complete nonsense. Akthar was one of the very best bowlers the world has ever seen. Granted he was injured a lot, but he was light years ahead of the medium pacers around today. Furthermore he played in an era where 300 was a par odi score and the quality of batsmen was sublime, so your theory that he somehow played in a lower scoring era is simply false.

Akther's era was Lara, Gilchrist, Hayden, Ponting, Langer, Sehwag, Tendulker, Dravid, VVS, Yuvi (in his prime), Inzi, Moyo, Younus, Graeme Smith, Kallis, Gibbs. Compare that to today - Smith, Kohli, Root and Williamson - out of that list, I'm not even sure Root and Williamson deserve to be there.

The fact is that when Akther was fit, he troubled everyone. He was a truly awesome bowler whose pace has never been matched by anyone, past or present. He may have had all sorts of problems, but suggesting that he was anything other than a truly one of a kind world class all time great bowler, is denying the truth.
Click to expand...

Completely agree. Akhtar was awesome - and the strain you put on your body to bowl at 160kph, why are you surprised he broke down often? Sure his attitude was a little questionable and was a bit of a show pony, but I think it was good for the game. He was a match winner. The reason Pakistan is not producing the express bowlers now is exactly because of that mentality of "safe" bowlers bowling at 145-150 - well guess what? We barely have those now. I disagree, we need out and out quicks who will instill fear in the batsmen, as did akhtar causing Langer to have sleepless nights.

Akhtar was unique along with Brett Lee who could bowl around 160. No one can do that at present. These bowlers such as Milne or Ferguson, etc cannot utilise their pace like Akhtar did... full and fast, bowled him middle stump out of the ground.

Bring on an express speedster who can bowl thunderbolts!
 
Shoaib Akthar (and many of his fans) have selective memory. The only reason he was able to have the career he did was because during his peak years, he benefited playing alongside Wasim and Waqar, two of the finest bowlers to ever play cricket. He didn't have to worry about accuracy, stopping runs, taking wickets, because they were doing all that. He had one job - bowl fast. And don't get me wrong he did that well. But without the pressure being applied by the rest of the lineup, his fast bowling wouldn't have gone far. In fact it would have been a liability. But since everyone else, including Mustaq, Razzaq, etc were all very good at their jobs, Shoaib became an added bonus to the lineup. But that's all he ever was, a bonus. He was never good enough to the top guy, but in his mind, he probably thinks he's the greatest bowler to ever put on the green jersey.
 
I would love to see a Pakistan bowler consistently bowling above 90 mph

I saw the interview when Sohaib said this , Ian point also tweeted in saying he was very impressed and optimistic Salman is going to be a super star
 
What is the point? Breaking the speed barrier is what an aspiring fast bowler should wish to achieve ?
 
The posts on this thread are weird.

Not 1 poster has discussed the merits of this statement.

Everybody is busy discussing Shoaib's career himself or saying pace isnt important.

On topic, Salman Irshad does NOT have the potential to break Akhtar's record. Not even close. I am not even sure he can clock 150 regularly. So this statement from Shoaib doesnt have any legs to stand on.
 
I find it hilarious at posters habitualy bemoaning the abundance of trundlers in our team and domestic cricket and now comment that Shoaib was a surplus to requirements his time.
 
Madplayer said:
The posts on this thread are weird.

Not 1 poster has discussed the merits of this statement.

Everybody is busy discussing Shoaib's career himself or saying pace isnt important.

On topic, Salman Irshad does NOT have the potential to break Akhtar's record. Not even close. I am not even sure he can clock 150 regularly. So this statement from Shoaib doesnt have any legs to stand on.
Click to expand...

He is just 22 so could increase his speed and Akhtar statement I believe is that the guy has the potential to break his record not that he is already faster.
And people that are degenerating Akhters careers are idiots the guy played just around 45 matches or 15 series and won us at least 5 of those
 
Is it possible to increase speed from 144 to 160 with training? Will be good if it's possible
 
Did that fastest ball get him a wicket? Then what is the point of having such a pointless record?
 
Even if Irshad doesn't fulfill his potential, he should be motivated by the likes of Shoaib Akhtar, to become a quality bowler.

Who knows, with the right guidance, Irshad might become a top pacer.
 
Couch Cricketer said:
He is just 22 so could increase his speed and Akhtar statement I believe is that the guy has the potential to break his record not that he is already faster.
And people that are degenerating Akhters careers are idiots the guy played just around 45 matches or 15 series and won us at least 5 of those
Click to expand...

I thought he was like 25.

But still, he is bowling around 145 at 22 years of age so there is no way he can reach 161 kph ever unless some improbable miracle happens. He needs to be clocking 150+ regulary (preferably around 152-154) to have a chance to get close to 161 in his career. Shoaib used to bowl 155+ deliveries regularly as we all know and when his all of his biocmechanics clicked together and he put in extra efforts, he touched the magical mark.

Even Starc's 160kph delivery is debatable and many people call it an error because he hardly ever bowls over 152kph.
 
If shoaib said than there is some thing to get excited , I can't remember Shoaib praising any bowler for his speed other than M.Zahid.
 
Madplayer said:
I was looking at some tweets and Ian pont has predicted that he will be a sensation. kyle mills too thinks he is a real find and has an X-factor.
Click to expand...
Wouldn’t go too much into the drivel these guys are spewing out. He’s not a bad bowler by any means, but nothing special. He’s on the LQ team due to commercial/publicity/marketing reasons.
 
Akther was an exasperating individual. He would help us win a match e.g he won us a test match in south africa, then got injured and we lost the series. He did not look after himself as he knew he had some health issues around his body e.g. his knees and arms. His fitness regime was highly questionable, you can see his body and how large he became. There were times he was clearly puffing. In comparison Rana Naveed was a soldier and so was razzaq. Just watch the 2006 karachi test and the ODI series against the aussies in austrailia where Rana would run in no matter and fight till the end..Akhter just wanted to party,drink and enjoy life.

He was not an athlete and at times was a disgrace to the green shirt. But when he was on, he was devastating..
 
leatherface58 said:
That is infant age considering your lot's retirement age or lack thereof.
Click to expand...

:))) Good one.

But seriously speaking, the fast bowlers do retire early. Shoaib was past his prime anyway and kamran's keeping didnt help him in that match.
 
Ellipsism said:
Wouldn’t go too much into the drivel these guys are spewing out. He’s not a bad bowler by any means, but nothing special. He’s on the LQ team due to commercial/publicity/marketing reasons.
Click to expand...

Yes it remains to be seen whether he is any good. Psl will give us a good Idea.
 
Have never seen a welcome bar Sarfaraz where the whole town comes to welcome you. And this guy Salman Irshad is yet to play for Pakistan or even the PSL. Is a Kashmiri, hence there are lot of expectations from him. Has a Malinga like action with consistent bowling on speed over 140+ clicks. The Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir, Farooq Haider himself went to receive and welcome him and the Lahore Qalandar management, explains a lot.
Kudos to Rana Fawad for supporting such campaigns into the village and remote areas in Pakistan and doing the job PCB is suppose to do.

27072841_1945054845524516_1063302052577911800_n.jpgDVQsGl3W0AEqaHD.jpgDVQsGlcXkAARrAG.jpgDVRizNEW0AEqFKK.jpg
 
Madplayer said:
:))) Good one.

But seriously speaking, the fast bowlers do retire early. Shoaib was past his prime anyway and kamran's keeping didnt help him in that match.
Click to expand...

On a serious note, I was a big Shoaib fan. For all his pace, he was actually a very shrewd bowler who had a deadly slower ball. Most people think of pace when it comes to him but he had a great mind for cricket. I wonder why PCB does not use him as a bowling coach.
 
I see Aquib Javed standing behind Salman.




Unfortunately, Salman's career has ended even before it began.
 
Jonty said:
Completely agree. Akhtar was awesome - and the strain you put on your body to bowl at 160kph, why are you surprised he broke down often? Sure his attitude was a little questionable and was a bit of a show pony, but I think it was good for the game. He was a match winner. The reason Pakistan is not producing the express bowlers now is exactly because of that mentality of "safe" bowlers bowling at 145-150 - well guess what? We barely have those now. I disagree, we need out and out quicks who will instill fear in the batsmen, as did akhtar causing Langer to have sleepless nights.

Akhtar was unique along with Brett Lee who could bowl around 160. No one can do that at present. These bowlers such as Milne or Ferguson, etc cannot utilise their pace like Akhtar did... full and fast, bowled him middle stump out of the ground.

Bring on an express speedster who can bowl thunderbolts!
Click to expand...

You're right that the mentality of producing bowlers with the perfect action with the perfect run up with the perfect seam position has led to a world of bowlers who are essentially all the samd. Cricket is a sport which you're supposed to enjoy watching- anyone who saw Akther in his prime could not have helped but have been excited like a child! The day I saw Akther take out Jonathan Trott's middle stump with an almost 100mph thunderbolt, as I sat there in the ground, was a day that still lives in my memories now. Fast forward to 2018 and I'm now watching the most boring Ashes series imaginable with rubbish bowling up against some of the most defensive batting imaginable, and I'm no longer excited.

People sometimes forget the purpose of sport- it is entertainment at the end of the day.
 
Usman said:
You're right that the mentality of producing bowlers with the perfect action with the perfect run up with the perfect seam position has led to a world of bowlers who are essentially all the samd. Cricket is a sport which you're supposed to enjoy watching- anyone who saw Akther in his prime could not have helped but have been excited like a child! The day I saw Akther take out Jonathan Trott's middle stump with an almost 100mph thunderbolt, as I sat there in the ground, was a day that still lives in my memories now. Fast forward to 2018 and I'm now watching the most boring Ashes series imaginable with rubbish bowling up against some of the most defensive batting imaginable, and I'm no longer excited.

People sometimes forget the purpose of sport- it is entertainment at the end of the day.
Click to expand...

The Aussie pace attack is incredibly exciting. I find Starc and Cummins to be highly exciting bowlers. Plenty of pace, bounce, swing and intimidation. I don't see how you can find them boring.

I got into cricket in the late 90's. I grew up watching Shoaib. Yes, he was exciting and a second tier ATG but not nearly as great as made out to be here. He had bad days, many more than people care to remember.
 
Kabbo from Namibia is bowling at around 100 mph and he is the most likely bowler break Shoaib's speed record
 
Syed1 said:
Yeah not denying that he wasn't a match winner, however, Akhtar wasn't as good as he thinks he was. Also scores have progressively been higher in the last decade which is why Akhtar's 25 average seems impressive when viewed from the prism of present time. If Akhtar was playing in this era he would be averaging 30+.
Click to expand...

He bowled during an era of elite all time great batsman, pitches may be flat now but a big chunk of guys can't deal with a little bit of spin or lateral movement so the 30+ average is OTT, his biggest issue was staying fit; otherwise a nightmare for any team across all conditions.
 
Any international captain would love to have a fit and firing Akhtar in their XI in this era, they'd have to manage his world load efficiently and support from captain / coach would also need to be pivotal. Akhtar is far from the perfect bowler but I can't see any captain not wanting him to play for their team right now, some people are just going over the top as if they are students of the game
 
Also not sure why these fans of sissy cricket have a problem with having a skilfull / durable bowler who is capable of bowling 155+ spells, skill is certainly important but am sick and tired of the weak commens such as 'pace is not everything' Indian trundler mindset is rampant these days, give me a bowler who runs in, bowls quick and moves the ball laterally anyday; nothing compares to such a sight, cricket just keeps getting boring so I don't see how anyone would not want a 155+ bowler. Genuine quicks are a thing of the past but I find it shocking how sissy cricket fans have turned them into a stereotype ignorantly.
 
FreePalestine said:
Kamran Akmal ended his career.
Click to expand...

How is Kamran is 100% responsible for Akhtar losing his mind and bowling rank knee high full tosses in the death overs? Akhtar keeps spouting rubbish how he would have won it in Mohali (when his replacement got a 5-fer) while he has always kept silent about that match against NZ.
 
Is it just me or by videos guy doesnt look more than 140kph and that with an extremely ugly action
 
Ok guys as fans of Pakistan we should support any new talent we find, this kid has clocked 145kph without a training or guidance , more then likely he will not break Sohaib’s record but if he can bowl over 145kph consitently I would take it.

I grew up watching cricket in the 90s and there is nothing mor exciting then seeing a tear away fast bowler making batsman hop all over the place!

People are critizing the kids action, but with this action he can be deadly with reverse swing.

Let’s see how he does in the psl

Also a remember year or two ago geo showed a kid bowling 140kph At the age of 15 , he was bowling to kamran Akmal.

What happened to him ?
 
azimiqbal said:
Ok guys as fans of Pakistan we should support any new talent we find, this kid has clocked 145kph without a training or guidance , more then likely he will not break Sohaib’s record but if he can bowl over 145kph consitently I would take it.

I grew up watching cricket in the 90s and there is nothing mor exciting then seeing a tear away fast bowler making batsman hop all over the place!

People are critizing the kids action, but with this action he can be deadly with reverse swing.

Let’s see how he does in the psl

Also a remember year or two ago geo showed a kid bowling 140kph At the age of 15 , he was bowling to kamran Akmal.

What happened to him ?
Click to expand...


Kid wasn't 140 but mid 130s
 
jaf348 said:
How is Kamran is 100% responsible for Akhtar losing his mind and bowling rank knee high full tosses in the death overs? Akhtar keeps spouting rubbish how he would have won it in Mohali (when his replacement got a 5-fer) while he has always kept silent about that match against NZ.
Click to expand...

Kamran Akmal dropped two dollies off consecutive Akhtar deliveries in that NZ game. Guess who the batsman was.
 
FreePalestine said:
Kamran Akmal dropped two dollies off consecutive Akhtar deliveries in that NZ game. Guess who the batsman was.
Click to expand...

The dropped catches were pathetic but still no excuse for some of the worst death bowling you will ever see; that too coming from experienced seniors (Akhtar and Razzaq).
 
jaf348 said:
The dropped catches were pathetic but still no excuse for some of the worst death bowling you will ever see; that too coming from experienced seniors (Akhtar and Razzaq).
Click to expand...

apart from the fact that the batsman who smacked those big sixes in the death overs was the same one who was dropped twice earlier in the game - Ross Taylor.
 
he has played 2 domestic t20s for AJK

http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/player/781705.html
 
Last edited:
I’ll be genuinely surprised if he even hits 145kph, and doesn’t go at an ER of 10.
 
Well looks like he's made an impression!
 
Gets Misbah first ball.

Fastest ball 141.2 kph (but speedgun didn't show for first 2-3 balls).
 
Will post thing I posted in the other thread.

Action needs work. Starts off as a front on bowler and looks kind of like Abdul Razzaq in his jump. Then suddenly goes side on and slingy to deliver the ball. Doesn't get anything from his run up.

If someone who knows what he is doing works with him on his action he may very well clock 150 kph.
 
He will never be 155+ bowler, won't happen, he can be consistenly quick but 155+ is something which you either have or you don't and this guy doesn't
 
Salman Irshad after winning his Player of the Match award:

"I just bowled in the good areas. Last 3 years I've played a lot of T20 cricket in Pakistan, I am a T20 specialist. My confidence is high because of guys like Imad and Amir, they keep supporting me."

https://twitter.com/x/status/1694544380562940198
 
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