[VIDEO] On This Day: May 3, 2002 - Shoaib Akhtar takes 6 for 11 vs NZ in Pakistan's biggest Test win

[Khabri420]

In the same test where Inzamam ul Haq scored 329, Shoaib Akhtar played his part in denting New Zealand even further. He did not look to bowl fast, but focused more so on his line and length. His initial spell was nothing short of being 'hostile' where he claimed four New Zealand wickets, all of which were bowled out. At this stage New Zealand were left helpless at 21-4. However, Shoaib's spell was cut short as he sprained his ankle during follow through. He came back to bowl a little under two overs in his returning spell picking up two more wickets to finish with personal best figures of 6-11 in only 8.2 overs.

He would finish the match with six wickets only as he did not bowl during New Zealand's 2nd innings.

Match in Discussion: http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/63989.html

 

[kingusama92]

Still remember watching that spell. I was so young and he was beastly.

Absolutely wrecked them. They looked so scared out there as he ran in.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Akthar made the pitch which look flat while pakistan were batting look something complete the opposite when he was tearing in.

 

[Abdullah719]

He did not look to bowl fast, but focused more so on his line and length.

Can't quite picture this.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

This spell was just sheer pace. Forget the record at the world cup, this was the fastest I'd seen him bowl. The batsmen simply couldn't get the bat down in time. Never seen such ferocious fast bowling.

 

[giri26]

I remember watching this on TV and NZ were completely blown away. I think most of them were bowled.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Watched the spell again.

Fortunate to have watched Akhtar at his peak in early 00s. These days crossing 150kph is considered a rarity, back then Akhtar and Lee used to bowl 155kph+ for fun.

 

[dauntless]

Fastest bowler ever to play the game. Proud of him.

 

[Hasan123]

What a performance.

 

[Abdullah719]

Can't quite picture this.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/58qXzYSCUMw" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

First dismissal 156kph

 

[Hawkeye]

Fastest bowler to walk on this planet.

Will always remain the fastest.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Real express bowler.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/58qXzYSCUMw" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

First dismissal 156kph

Even in replays the ball is zipping through air so fast!
Incredible performance. Considering the track was so flat that Pak made 600+

 

[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. Stumps flying everywhere, electrifying pace, as Shoaib Akhtar took career-best Test figures of 6-11 versus New Zealand in Lahore <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/171PzSxa1Z">pic.twitter.com/171PzSxa1Z</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1256845223096918021?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[BoomBoomCricket]

He liked playing the Kiwis, except the last game of his career.

 

[Mueez]

Lethal bowler

 

[sweep_shot]

I think I watched this game live. Shoaib was on fire.

 

[andy0204]

He liked playing the Kiwis, except the last game of his career.

Thanks to Kami.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

That is the reason why I don't think there is a single out and out fast bowler in the world today. Shoaib, Lee, Tait were the last of the group.

No one comes close to 160, or even 156-157, no one is consistently bowling over 150 and no one puts fear of god into people spell after spell. Today, they are all 145-150 bowlers on their best days.

 

[Saj]

Amazing spell.

One of the best you will ever see.

Such a shame we didn't see enough of these spells due to one reason or another.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Well. One of the fastest spells of Shoaib's career. Stump were bound to fly if the balls hit them at 158-159 KPH.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1786300480810848756

 

[mominsaigol]

Apparently the news circulating nowadays is that shaheen is better then prime Akhtar

 

[msb314]

One of his greatest alongside his spell in Multan against England in 2005

 

[emranabbas]

but shaheen is way better than shoaib akhtar, shaheen is Pakistan's 3rd best bowler after imran khan and wasim akram