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'Born A Cripple': Shoaib Akhtar Makes Big Revelation On India vs Pakistan Documentary

Rajgeeta Yadav

Shoaib Akhtar Makes Big Revelation [Source: @MSNSports/X.com]Shoaib Akhtar Makes Big Revelation [Source: @MSNSports/X.com]

The legendary rivalry between India and Pakistan in cricket has always been a hot topic among fans. Netflix recently released a documentary titled India vs Pakistan: The Greatest Rivalry, featuring cricketing greats such as Virender Sehwag, Sourav Ganguly, Sunil Gavaskar, Waqar Younis, Javed Miandad, Ravichandran Ashwin, Inzamam-ul-Haq, and Shoaib Akhtar, among others. Amidst many revelations in the documentary, one of the most surprising came from Shoaib Akhtar, widely known as the “Rawalpindi Express.”

Shoaib Akhtar's Illustrious Career

Whenever fans discuss the greatest fast bowlers in history, Shoaib Akhtar’s name is always mentioned. He redefined fast bowling, becoming the first bowler to consistently deliver balls at speeds above 150 km/h. His ability to intimidate batsmen with sheer pace made him one of the most feared pacers of his time.

Akhtar made his debut for Pakistan in 1997, joining the ranks of legendary fast bowlers like Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, and Waqar Younis. Over a 14-year international career, he played 46 Test matches, 163 ODIs, and 15 T20Is, claiming a total of 444 wickets. He also holds the record for the fastest delivery ever bowled in cricket—161.3 km/h (100.23 mph).

Despite his achievements, Shoaib Akhtar revealed a lesser-known, deeply personal story in the documentary. He disclosed that he was born crippled and couldn’t walk for the first eight years of his life. His mother was deeply concerned about his condition, but an unexpected miracle changed everything.

“A saint used to visit our house,” Akhtar recalled. “He once told my mother, ‘One day, a boy will be born who will gain fame and recognition all over the world.’ My mother was worried, wondering who that could be. When I was born, I was crippled. I couldn’t walk. But then, at the age of nine, a miracle happened—I started running. And I was running as quick as light.”

After retiring from international cricket in 2011, Akhtar continued to play in exhibition matches, including the Legends League Cricket.