when Shoaib Akhtar's bullet speed was seen, it was a rage on this day 18 years ago

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This Pakistani fast bowler, known as Rawalpindi Express, achieved this feat during the third ODI against New Zealand in Lahore on 27 April 2002.

Shoaib Akhtar became the first bowler in the world to touch 100 mph speed on this day 18 years ago. The Pakistani fast bowler, known as ‘Rawalpindi Express’, achieved this feat during the third ODI against New Zealand in Lahore on 27 April 2002.

Speed of 100.04 mph

Then 26-year-old Shoaib bowled 100.04 mph (161 kmph) to Craig McMillan, who landed at number three at Gaddafi Stadium, blasting the pace of Australian paceman Jeff Thomson.

Thomson bowled at a speed of 99.8 mph (160.5 kmph) in 1975, although his speed was not seen during a match. While Shoaib did this feat during an international match.

ICC refused to approve

The authenticity of the speed gun (ball measuring device) was then doubted, but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stamped on Shoaib’s speed. On the other hand, the International Cricket Council (ICC) refused to approve it, saying that the speed of the ball was not measured with standard equipment.

Shoaib recorded a speed of 99.2 mph during the Sharjah Cup in early April that year. It is interesting that in the match in which he made a record of triple digit speed, in that match, he had bowled 99.419 mph.

Akhtar broke his own record

Akhtar then broke his own record in the 2003 World Cup match against England in Newlands, South Africa. He then bowled at a speed of 100.23 mph (161.3 km / h), which is still the fastest ball recorded in cricket history.

Australia’s Brett Lee and Shaun Tate did reach a little closer to Akhtar’s record, but failed to break it. Apart from Shoaib, Brett Lee and Tate are among those bowling at a speed of 100 mph.