Shoaib Akhtar Personal information Full name Shoaib Akhtar Born 13 August 1975 (1975-08-13) (age 35) Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan Nickname Rawalpindi Express Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Batting style Right hand bat Bowling style Right arm fast Role Bowler International information National side Pakistan Test debut (cap 150) 29 November 1997 v West Indies Last Test 8 December 2007 v India ODI debut (cap 123) 28 March 1998 v Zimbabwe Last ODI 8 March 2011 v New Zealand ODI shirt no. 14 Career statistics Competition Test ODI T20I Matches 46 163 15 Runs scored 544 394 21 Batting average 10.07 8.95 7.00 100s/50s 0/0 0/0 0/0 Top score 47 43 8* Balls bowled 8,143 7,764 318 Wickets 178 247 19 Bowling average 25.69 24.97 22.73 5 wickets in innings 12 4 0 10 wickets in match 2 n/a n/a Best bowling 6/11 6/16 3/38 Catches/stumpings 12/– 20/– 2/– Source: Cricinfo, 8 November 2010 Shoaib Akhtar (Punjabi, Urdu: شعیب اختر; born 13 August 1975 in Rawalpindi, Punjab) is a former Pakistani right arm fast bowler in cricket, who is regarded as the fastest bowler in the history of cricket. He set an official world record by achieving the fastest delivery, when he clocked in at 161.3 km/h (100.2 mph) in his bowling speed, twice at a cricket match against England.1 His ability to bowl fast yorkers and quick bouncers have made him one of the best fast bowlers in cricket. However, he has been involved in several controversies during his career, often accused of not being a team player. Akhtar was sent home during the Test match series in Australia in 2005 for alleged poor attitude. A year later, he was embroiled in a drug scandal after testing positive to a banned substance. However, the ban imposed on him was lifted on court appeal. In September 2007, Akhtar was banned for an indefinite period for his fight with Pakistan team mate and fast bowler Mohammad Asif.2 On 1 April 2008, Akhtar was banned for five years for publicly criticizing the Pakistan Cricket Board.3 In October 2008, the Lahore High Court in Pakistan suspended the five year ban and Akhtar was selected in the 15-man squad for the Twenty20 Quadrangular Tournament in Canada.4 Pakistani judge, Rana Bhagwandas stated once that, Akhtar is a legend of Pakistan cricket.5 He retired from international cricket after the 2011 World Cup. Contents 1 Early years 2 Career 2.1 International career 2.2 Struggle for form and consistent injuries (2007–2009) 2.3 Rehabilitation and final years (2010–2011) 3 Domestic career 3.1 England county cricket 3.2 Indian Premier League 4 Cricket controversies and injuries 4.1 Drug scandal 4.1.1 Acquittal 4.2 Other controversies 5 International bowling records 5.1 Test cricket: Five-wickets in an innings 5.2 Test cricket: Ten-wickets in a match 5.3 One Day International: Five-wickets in an innings 6 Career Best Performances 7 References 8 External links Early years Akhtar was born at Morgah, a small town near Rawalpindi, Punjab in Pakistan.6 His father was a plant operator in Attock Oil Refinery, Morgah.6 Akhtar started his studies at Elliott High School, Morgah and then took admission in the Asghar Mall College, Rawalpindi.citation needed Career International career

Akhtar's run of impressive performances started in the 1990s. In 1999, during a pre-World Cup series against India, he rose to prominence. It was followed by outstanding bowling performances in Sharjah and later in 1999 Cricket World Cup. His most significant performance was in India in 1999 when he captured eight wickets in the Asian Test championship match at Calcutta – including the wickets of Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid off successive deliveries. This was Akhtar's first encounter with Sachin Tendulkar, in which Akthar bowled him off the first delivery he delivered to the batsman. In 2002, he was selected for the Pakistan team against Australia and achieved success. However he performed poorly during the 2003 Cricket World Cup and after the tournament he was dropped from the Pakistan squad. He was selected back into the Pakistan squad in the 2004 Test match series against New Zealand, but struggled in a losing Test series against India in 2004. The series ended with a controversy when he left the field citing an injury leading to suspicions by former Pakistan captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq, about his commitment to the team. As a result, his relationship with Inzamam-ul-Haq and former Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer deteriorated. A medical panel was set up by the Pakistan Cricket Board to investigate the nature of his injury, however Pakistan officials dispelled all suspicions.7 In 2005, Akhtar regained his reputation as a fast bowler for his side. Playing in a three Test home series against England, he made a series of impressive bowling performances. His effective use of slower deliveries proved to be unplayable by the English batsmen. Akhtar emerged as the highest wicket taker of the series with seventeen wickets. His comeback was also remarkable as prior to his return, he had been criticized from all corners-such as by the Worcestershire chairman John Elliot for his celebrity attitude and lack of commitment to team. His performance was also acknowledged by the English captain Michael Vaughan, who remarked "I thought he (Shoaib) was a big difference between the two teams".8 He is also known as the only bowler ever to break the 100 mph barrier in cricket bowling history, with a delivery of 100.2 mph, and this delivery at stands as the fastest recorded to date.1 Struggle for form and consistent injuries (2007–2009) On 29 October 2007, Akhtar made his return to cricket, from his 13 match ban and performed well, taking 4 wickets for 43 runs against South Africa in the fifth and deciding One Day International series in Lahore in Pakistan. Subsequently, he was included in the 16 man Pakistan squad for the 2007 tour of India, which he completed successfully without further incident and injury. Rehabilitation and final years (2010–2011) Akhtar made a return to international cricket albeit in the shorter format of the game. In May 2010, PCB named him in a list of 35 probables for the Asia Cup. On 15 June 2010, Akhtar made his return, taking 3 wickets for 28 runs in the first match of the Asia Cup against Sri Lanka.9 He narrowly missed out a spot in the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 in place of the injured Umar Gul. In July 2010, he was selected for the Twenty20 series against Australia but the selectors decided not to play him in the Test squad so that he would not get injured. He was subsequently selected for the ODI and Twenty20 series against England in September 2010.10

Akhtar returned to the national side representing the country against England in the Twenty20 International. He bowled an impressive spell and returned with figures of 2 wickets for 23 runs.11 He continued to bowl well in the ODI series in the absence of regular fast-bowlers, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, who were suspended by the International Cricket Council amid allegations of Spot-fixing. Despite his relatively good bowling form, Pakistani coach Waqar Younis insisted that the bowling attack must not become reliant on Akhtar, as he is 35 years of age and fitness troubles continue to affect him.12 Akhtar was selected for the tour of New Zealand and started his campaign off well with 3 wickets on Boxing Day in the first of two Twenty20 Internationals against New Zealand. Akhtar was selected in Pakistan's 15-man squad to play in the 2011 World Cup hosted by Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka in February to March. During the tournament, he announced that he would retire from international cricket at the end of the World Cup.13 Domestic career England county cricket Shoaib Akhtar signing an autograph for his fans. Akhtar has played for three English county cricket clubs, including Somerset in 2001, Durham in 2003 and 2004 and Worcestershire in 2005. He did achieve his moments of success, such as taking 5 wickets for 35 runs for Durham against Somerset in the National League in 2003 and claiming 6 wickets for 16 runs in the same competition for Worcestershire against Glamorgan two years later, but he suffered from fitness problems, as well as a perception that he was less than interested in his task. This was particularly the case at Worcestershire: chairman John Elliott said "Players like that are no good to our club. In fact, Akhtar has been no good for any club he's been at. He's a superstar and just does what he wants."14 Indian Premier League Akhtar made a successful return to cricket in his first game in the Indian Premier League, playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders against the Delhi Daredevils. Defending a low score of 133 runs, Akhtar took four top order wickets which ultimately led to the Daredevils being restricted to 110 runs. He ended with figures of 4 wickets for 11 runs from three overs, a performance which earned him the player of the match award.1516 Akhtar denied that he had any point to prove with his performance, stating, "I just wanted to win the game." Knight Riders' captain Sourav Ganguly also acknowledged Akhtar's performance, "He came to the country with lots [of things] happening behind him...But he showed a lot of character."17 It has been widely reported that the Knight Riders have released Akhtar from his contract due to his injury history but the Knight Riders' officials have denied these reports and said they are still in talks with the fast bowler.18 He has also played for Cyclones of Chittagong in Bangladesh's NCL T20 Bangladesh. Cricket controversies and injuries Akhtar's career has been plagued with injuries, controversies and accusations of poor attitude. After rising into international stardom at a young age due to his speed, due to his interesting personality and charisma glamour seemed to follow him, some say at the detriment of his sporting focus. Although he eventually crossed the 100 mph barrier, his attitude took its toll on his reputation as well as his fitness. After a poor performance in the 2003 Cricket World Cup, he got involved in a verbal conflict with former Pakistan captain and fast bowler Waqar Younis. Later on Akhtar was sacked along with other players, including Younis. In a triangular series in 2003 held in Sri Lanka, he was caught tampering with the cricket ball, making him the second player in cricket to be banned on ball tampering charges. The same year he was banned for one Test match and two One Day International matches for abusing South African spin bowler Paul Adams, during a match against South Africa.

In the 2004 home series with India, he struggled with wrist and back injuries, which raised questions about their commitment to the team. His relationship with the captain and the coach deteriorated further partially due to team politics. He was sent back from the 2005 Australia tour with a hamstring injury amid rumors of indiscipline, lack of commitment and attitudinal complaints. He was subsequently fined by the Pakistan Cricket Board for avoiding a late night curfew.19 The rest of his cricketing career was riddled with ankle and knee injuries which forced him to undergo a surgery in February 2006, until finally he was banned for two years for allegedly using performance enhancing drugs. In November 2006, an officer assigned to the Pakistan team in India, Anil Kaul, alleged that Akhtar had slapped former coach Bob Woolmer following a fight over the music to be played in the team bus on the eve of ICC Champions Trophy. Both Akhtar and Woolmer have strongly denied these allegations.20 Drug scandal On 16 October 2006 Akhtar was suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board, along with Mohammed Asif after the pair were tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance nandrolone.21 They were consequently pulled out from the ICC Champions Trophy 2006.22 Former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman later stated that he had always suspected Akhtar of substance abuse due to his consistent "reservations" to drug tests.23 Former Pakistan captain Inzamam ul-Haq had also previously complained about Akhtar's drug abuse but was not reported to the Pakistan Cricket Board.24 Pakistan news reports state that federal capital police had arrested Shoaib along with drugs some three years ago. Shoaib was then reportedly seen participating in the smoking of marijuana at a night club, violating the curfew for the team in their Test series against England.24 Akhtar immediately declared his innocence and he declined knowingly taking any performance enhancing drugs. In a statement issued to the press, he claimed that he could never cheat team-mates or opponents.25 During a hearing with the Pakistan Cricket Board Anti-Doping Committee, he along with Asif maintained taking non-steroidal dietary supplements.26 He, however, failed to convince the committee of his innocence. In its report submitted to the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Anti-Doping Committee recommended a two year ban.27 On 1 November 2006 the Pakistan Cricket Board handed down a two-year suspension to Akhtar and a one-year suspension to Asif, banning them from professional cricket during the period.28 Shoaib had subsequently been added to Pakistan Olympic Association list of doping offenders.29 However, on 5 December 2006 represented by his lawyer Abid Hassan Minto, Akhtar was cleared on appeal.30 Acquittal On 5 December 2006 Akhtar and Asif were acquitted by the tribunal appointed to review their appeals against the drugs ban imposed on them by an earlier committee. After a clear hearing from Akhtar's lawyer Abid Hassan Minto, the three-man committee, headed by Justice Fakhruddin Ebrahim, voted two to one in favour of the acquittal. Haseeb Ahsan, former Test cricketer and Ebrahim were in favour of the acquittal while the third member, Danish Zaheer, dissented. “Exceptional circumstances” were cited including discrepancies between the instantaneous offence charges of doping that were laid and the quick delivery of a very harsh verdict. The complete drug testing procedure was concluded to have been technically flawed as it did not follow standard procedures. Other established facts by the committee included that the duo were not aware of the banned drug to be present in their supplements because the Pakistan Cricket Board itself had not informed them of the dangers of contaminated supplements.3132

Both Akhtar and Asif were thankful to the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Nasim Ashraf for giving them a fair trial and their team mates, captain and coach for the moral support. However, in 2006, they did not play in the Test match series against the West Indies because the Pakistan Cricket Board has recommended that they play domestic games first to recover form and fitness.33 However, WADA, the World Anti-Doping Agency was to challenge Pakistan's decision to lift bans on fast bowlers Akhtar and Asif by taking the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.34 The ICC, cricket's world governing body, has supported the WADA appeal adding that it was committed to a dope free game.35 On 1 March 2007 Akhtar and Asif were ruled out of the Pakistani squad for the 2007 Cricket World Cup by team officials, minutes before the squad was to depart for the West Indies. The team management along with the Pakistan Cricket Board said their injuries were too severe to risk taking them to the Caribbean. Since neither of the two had been declared fit they had not undergone official doping tests.36 On 2 July 2007 the Court of Arbitration for Sport dropped the case, ruling it had no jurisdiction to challenge the decision made by PCB.3738 On 21 May 2009, Akhtar was dropped from his country's World Championship Twenty20 squad because of genital viral warts, previously reported as a skin infection.39 Other controversies In August 2007, Akhtar was reported to have used foul language against Pakistan Cricket Board protesting the imposing of fine of Rs. 300,000 for indiscipline during the national camp in Karachi.40 In the week before the inaugural World Twenty20, held in South Africa, Akhtar was rumoured to have hit Pakistani team mate Mohammad Asif with a bat, leaving a bruise on his left thigh. According to sources, the two were involved in a dressing room spat which resulted in Asif being struck by a bat on his left thigh. Sources said the fight between the two started after Asif and Shahid Afridi disagreed with Shoaib that he shared the same stature as Imran Khan in Pakistan cricket and even ridiculed him for making such a comparison.41 The injury was not thought to be anything more serious than a bruise but a team investigation into the matter was pending.42 After the initial inquiry, it would found that Akhtar was at fault and he was subsequently recalled from the Twenty20 World Cup squad43 and was sent home.44 He was also banned for 5 matches by the Pakistan Cricket Board and a lifetime ban may also seem imminent.45 Akhtar later claimed that Afridi was responsible for the fight, saying "He made some ill remarks about my family. And I could not tolerate them." Afridi however, denied these allegations adding that Asif would have suffered more injuries but for his intervention.46 Even Asif chipped in saying that Akhtar was lying and that "Shahid Afridi had nothing to do with the fight." saying that "he has not apologised to me."47 Akhtar later patched up with his team mates including Afridi and Asif On 1 April 2008 Akhtar was banned for five years for violating the players' code of conduct. The ban extended to all cricket for and in Pakistan.48 Despite the ban not preventing him from playing in the Indian Premier League, the IPL governing council decided not to allow Akhtar to play in the tournament until the end of the ban or unless it is lifted. IS Bindra, a member of the council, was quoted as saying, "Even though they [the PCB] have cleared him to play for IPL, we felt that international discipline needs to be respected."49 Meanwhile, Akhtar vowed to go to great lengths to fight the ban, "I will appeal, as is my right. If that fails I will go to court, if that fails then I will go to the Supreme Court."50 On 3 April, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Nasim Ashraf served a legal notice on Akhtar, calling on him to retract statements he made to a news channel, alleging the ban was punishment in return for refusing to give the chairman a share of his earnings from the Indian Premier League, Ashraf also sought damages of Rs100 million (approximately US$1.6 million) for "defaming him personally" and an additional Rs100 million to the Pakistan Cricket Board for "sullying the name of the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Pakistan Cricket team."51 A three-man appellate tribunal announced on 30 April that they had temporarily upheld Akhtar's five-year ban, deciding to revist the appeal hearing in June.52 Despite Akhtar's later retracting his claims and also issuing an unconditional apology for "any grief or embarrassment that may have been caused to the nation, particularly to the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf", Ashraf's legal counsel filed a Rs22 crore (approx US$3.37 million) defamation suit against Akhtar in a civil court in Lahore on 2 May.53 On 4 May, the Pakistan Cricket Board's appellate tribunal suspended the five-year ban for one month, until they reconvene on 4 June, allowing Akhtar to take part in the ongoing Indian Premier League.54 A day later, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced that they will no longer pursue the defamation suit following a reconciliation between Akhtar and chairman Nasim Ashraf at the house of Rehman Malik, a key political official, in Islamabad. "My honour has been vindicated and now the defamation lawsuit will not be pursued," Ashraf was quoted as saying.55

On 4 September 2008, Akhtar was sent home by British immigration officials after landing at Heathrow airport without a valid working visa, authorities said he could not play without a working visa, though Akhtar had a valid visa to visit England but not a working visa, which is a prerequisite to play in county cricket. He subsequently obtained the necessary visa and returned to play with English county club Surrey.56 Akhtar also threatened to sue the Pakistan Cricket Board after it was revealed that he had contracted a sexually transmitted disease (genital warts) and thus dropped from the 2009 world Twenty20 championship.57 International bowling records Test cricket: Five-wickets in an innings Test cricket: Five-wickets in an innings Number Figures Match Against City/Country Venue Season 1 5/43 3 South Africa Durban, S.A. Kingsmead 1998 2 5/75 13 Sri Lanka Peshawar, Pakistan Arbab Niaz Stadium 1999 3 5/24 16 West Indies Sharjah, UAE Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium 2002 4 6/11 19 Australia Colombo, Sri Lanka PSS 2002 5 6/50 25 Bangladesh Peshawar, Pakistan Arbab Niaz Stadium 2003 6 5/48 27 New Zealand Wellington, New Zealand Basin Reserve 2003 7 6/30 27 New Zealand Wellington, New Zealand Basin Reserve 2003 8 5/60 30 Sri Lanka Faisalabad, Pakistan Iqbal Stadium 2004 9 5/99 31 Australia Perth, Australia WACA Ground 2004 10 5/109 32 Australia Melbourne, Australia MCG 2004 11 5/71 36 England Lahore, Pakistan Gaddafi Stadium 2005 Test cricket: Ten-wickets in a match Test cricket: Ten-wickets in a match Number Match Figures Match Against City/Country Venue Season 1 10/80 25 Bangladesh Peshawar, Pakistan Arbab Niaz Stadium 2003 2 11/78 27 New Zealand Wellington, New Zealand Basin Reserve 2003 One Day International: Five-wickets in an innings One Day International: Five-wickets in an innings Number Match Figures Match Against City/Country Venue Season 1 5/19 42 New Zealand Karachi, Pakistan National Stadium 2001 2 6/16 60 New Zealand Wellington, New Zealand Basin Reserve 2002 3 5/25 64 Australia Brisbane, Australia GABBA Ground 2002 4 5/54 127 England Lahore, Pakistan Gaddafi Stadium 2005 Career Best Performances as of 8 November 2010 Batting Bowling Score Fixture Venue Season Score Fixture Venue Season Tests 47 Pakistan v India Faisalabad 2006 6-11 Pakistan v New Zealand Lahore 2002 ODI 43 Pakistan v England Cape Town 2003 6-16 Pakistan v New Zealand Karachi 2002 T20I 4 Pakistan v England Cardiff 2010 2-11 Pakistan v Canada Ontario 2008 FC 59* KRL v PIA Lahore (CCA) 2001 6-11 Pakistan v New Zealand Lahore 2002 LA 56 KRL v Habib Bank Lahore 2003 6-16 Pakistan v New Zealand Karachi 2002 T20 14 Islamabad Leopards v Peshawar Panthers Karachi 2006 5-23 Rawalpindi Rams v Quetta Bears Lahore (CCA) 2005 References ^ a b Smith, Eddie. "Shoaib Akhtar at 100 mph". Cricinfo. http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/126897.html. Retrieved 2010-08-31.  ^ "PCB bans Shoaib Akhtar for an indefinite period". http://in.sports.yahoo.com/070907/139/6kgvi.html.  ^ Shoaib Akhtar gets 5-year ban for foul delivery | It's unfair ^ "Shoaib in for Canada, not Yousuf". http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/pakistan/content/story/372804.html.  ^ Rediffnews. "The law is equal for everyone in Pakistan". http://in.rediff.com/news/2006/feb/14inter1.htm. "I have little interest in cricket. People are crazy about cricket and we feel happy when our country wins. The names of Hanif Mohammad, Imran Khan, Shoaib Akhtar all come to my mind once I think about cricket. These are legends of Pakistani cricket"  ^ a b "Speed is Shoaib's way of life". Rediff. http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2004/mar/23faisu.htm. Retrieved 3 November 2010. "We drive past the refinery with an escort into the wiry road, past the two-room quarters where Akhtar's father, a plant operator, once lived with his family"  ^ "Bone scan puts Akhtar in the clear". 2004. http://www.cricinfo.com/pakistan/content/story/140776.html. Retrieved 2006-04-10.  ^ "Vaughan - Batsmen to blame". 2004. http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/228332.html. Retrieved 2006-04-10.  ^ Ravindran, Siddarth. "Shoaib Akhtar makes a respectable return". Cricinfo. http://www.cricinfo.com/asia2010/content/story/463287.html. Retrieved 15 June 2010.  ^ Geo TV. "Shoaib Akhtar selected for ODI and Twenty20 series against England in September 2010". Jang News. http://geo.tv/8-24-2010/70453.htm. Retrieved 26 August 2010.  ^ James, Steve (7 September 2010). "Pakistan bowler Shoaib Akhtar breathes new life into cricket's fast show". London: Telegraph.co.uk. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/england/7985127/Pakistan-bowler-Shoaib-Akhtar-breathes-new-life-into-crickets-fast-show.html. Retrieved 6 November 2010.  ^ "Shoaib Akhtar can’t do miracle at this age: Waqar". Geo.tv. http://geo.tv/10-21-2010/73211.htm. Retrieved 6 November 2010.  ^ Samiuddin, Osman (17 March 2011). "Shoaib Akhtar to retire after World Cup". Cricinfo. http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/current/story/506599.html. Retrieved 17 March 2011.  ^ Steve Pittard and John Stern (2007-05-24). "Dodgy overseas signings". Cricinfo. http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdencricketer/content/current/story/295629.html. Retrieved 2007-05-24.  ^ Indian Premier League - 35th match, Kolkata Knight Riders v Delhi Daredevils. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-14. ^ Shoaib leads Delhi drubbing. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-14. ^ I have no point to prove - Shoaib. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-14. ^ Knight Riders still in talks with Akhtar, February 3, 2009 ^ ABC Sport - Cricket - Pakistan's Akhtar fined for Australian disco jaunt ^ "Cricket". The Times Of India. http://cricket.indiatimes.com/articleshow/374409.cms.  ^ Cricinfo - Asif and Akhtar to return home ^ Staff writers and wires (2006-10-16). "Shoaib returns positive test". FOX SPORTS Australia. http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,20589658-23212,00.html.  ^ "Cricket". The Times Of India. http://cricket.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2191504.cms.  ^ a b Pakistan News Service - PakTribune ^ "Shocked Shoaib protests innocence". BBC News. 16 October 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/6054724.stm. Retrieved 23 May 2010.  ^ Cricinfo - Sad but we had to make an example of Shoaib - Alam ^ Pakistan Cricket Board - official website ^ Cricinfo - Shoaib and Asif banned for drugs use ^ [1]dead link ^ Cricinfo - Shoaib and Asif acquitted ^ Cricinfo - Shoaib and Asif acquitted ^ Cricinfo - Dope on the doping scandal ^ "Dope on the doping scandal | Pakistan Cricket News | Cricinfo.com". Content-usa.cricinfo.com. http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/pakistan/content/story/271347.html. Retrieved 2010-06-18.  ^ "BBC SPORT | Cricket | International Teams | Pakistan | Pakistan to face doping challenge". BBC News. 2006-12-15. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/other_international/pakistan/6183997.stm. Retrieved 2010-06-18.  ^ "Search - Global Edition - The New York Times". International Herald Tribune. 2009-03-29. http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/18/sports/AS_SPT_CRK_Pakistan_Doping.php. Retrieved 2010-06-18.  ^ Shoaib and Asif out of the World Cup: ^ Court has no jurisdiction in doping case. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 2007-07-03. ^ Court cannot rule on Pakistan duo. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 2007-07-03. ^ "Shoaib pulled from World Twenty20 squad | Cricket News | ICC World Twenty20 2009 | Cricinfo.com". Content.cricinfo.com. http://content.cricinfo.com/wt202009/content/story/405415.html. Retrieved 2010-06-18.  ^ "Shoaib uses foul language to protest PCB decision". http://in.sports.yahoo.com/070811/139/6jbmc.html.  ^ Shoaib hits Asif with bat, thrown out of team September 8, 2007 - The Indian Express ^ "Asif injured in dressing room spat by Akhtar". http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/pakistan/content/current/story/309867.html.  ^ Pakistan recalls Shoaib after Twenty20 World Cup bust up September 7, 2007 Reuters ^ Shoaib to be sent home after incident ^ Shoaib banned for five matches 8 September 2007 Daily Times ^ "Cricket-Pakistan's Akhtar accuses Afridi of instigating spat". Reuters. 2007-09-08. http://uk.reuters.com/article/cricketNews/idUKL0834991020070908.  ^ Shoaib is not speaking the truth: Asif ^ Shoaib banned for five years. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-04. ^ Shoaib cannot play in IPL. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-04. ^ 'I have been victimised' - Shoaib. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-04. ^ Ashraf files legal notice against Shoaib. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-04. ^ Shoaib's five-year ban upheld. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-04. ^ Ashraf files defamation suit against Shoaib. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-04. ^ Shoaib cleared to play in IPL. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-04. ^ PCB softens stance on Shoaib. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-05. ^ Akhtar returns home after visa hitch. Cricdb.com. Retrieved on 2008-09-04. ^ Shoaib Akhtar's genital warts keep him out of Pakistan's World Twenty 20 squad. Retrieved on 2009-08-10. External links Player Profile: Shoaib Akhtar from ESPNcricinfo Player Profile: Shoaib Akhtar from CricketArchive Shoaib Akhtar's Official Website www.skysports.com - Shoaib Akhtar's article v · d · ePakistan squad – 1999 Cricket World Cup Runners-up 1 Wasim Akram (c) • 2 Moin Khan (wk) • 3 Saleem Malik • 4 Ijaz Ahmed • 5 Waqar Younis • 6 Saeed Anwar • 7 Mushtaq Ahmed • 8 Inzamam-ul-Haq • 9 Saqlain Mushtaq • 10 Shahid Afridi • 11 Azhar Mahmood • 12 Abdul Razzaq • 13 Yousuf Youhana • 14 Shoaib Akhtar • 15 Wajahatullah Wasti • Coach: Mushtaq Mohammad v · d · ePakistan squad – 2003 Cricket World Cup 1 Waqar Younis (c) • 2 Abdul Razzaq • 3 Azhar Mahmood • 4 Inzamam-ul-Haq • 5 Mohammad Sami • 6 Rashid Latif (wk) • 7 Saeed Anwar • 8 Saleem Elahi • 9 Saqlain Mushtaq • 10 Shahid Afridi • 11 Shoaib Akhtar • 12 Taufeeq Umar • 13 Wasim Akram • 14 Younis Khan • 15 Yousuf Youhana • Coach: Richard Pybus v · d · ePakistan squad – 2007 Cricket World Cup 1 Inzamam-ul-Haq (c) • 2 Younis Khan • 3 Azhar Mahmood • 4 Danish Kaneria • 5 Iftikhar Anjum • 6 Imran Nazir • 7 Kamran Akmal (wk) • 8 Mohammad Hafeez • 9 Mohammad Sami • 10 Mohammad Yousuf • 11 Rana Naved-ul-Hasan • 12 Shahid Afridi • 13 Shoaib Malik • 14 Umar Gul • 15 Yasir Arafat • Coach: Woolmer Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif and Abdul Razzaq were named in the original squad but injuries led to them being withdrawn. Mushtaq Ahmed acted as temporary coach for Pakistan's final group game following the death of Bob Woolmer. v · d · ePakistan squad – 2007 ICC World Twenty20 Runners-Up 1 Salman Butt • 2 Shahid Afridi • 3 Imran Nazir • 4 Shoaib Malik • 5 Iftikhar Anjum • 6 Misbah-ul-Haq • 7 Kamran Akmal • 8 Fawad Alam • 9 Mohammad Asif • 10 Yasir Arafat • 11 Sohail Tanvir • 12 Abdur Rehman • 13 Umar Gul • 14 Younis Khan • 15 Mohammad Hafeez • Coach: Geoff Lawson Shoaib Akhtar was replaced by Sohail Tanvir due to a dressing room incident before the tournament. v · d · ePakistan squad – 2009 ICC World Twenty20 Winners (1st Title) 1 Younis Khan • 2 Abdul Razzaq • 3 Ahmed Shehzad • 4 Fawad Alam • 5 Iftikhar Anjum • 6 Misbah-ul-Haq • 7 Kamran Akmal (wk) • 8 Mohammad Amir • 9 Saeed Ajmal • 10 Salman Butt • 11 Shahid Afridi • 12 Shahzaib Hasan • 13 Shoaib Malik • 14 Umar Gul • 15 Yasir Arafat • 16 Sohail Tanvir • Coach: Intikhab Alam Shoaib Akhtar and Yasir Arafat were named in the original squad but injuries led to them being withdrawn. Abdul Razzaq was sent as a replacement for Yasir Arafat. v · d · ePakistan squad – 2011 Cricket World Cup Semi-Finalists 8 Mohammad Hafeez · 10 Shahid Afridi (c) · 12 Abdul Razzaq · 14 Shoaib Akhtar · 19 Ahmed Shehzad · 22 Misbah-ul-Haq · 23 Akmal (wk) · 36 Abdur Rehman · 47 Wahab Riaz · 50 Saeed Ajmal · 55 Umar Gul · 75 Younus Khan · 81 Asad Shafiq · 96 Umar Akmal · 99 Junaid Khan · Coach: Waqar Younis Sohail Tanvir was named in the original squad but injuries led to him being withdrawn. Junaid Khan was sent as his replacement Persondata Name Shoaib Akhtar Alternative names Short description Date of birth 1975-08-13 Place of birth Rawalpindi, Punjab Date of death Place of death