Shoaib Akhtar makes stunning revelation: 'I was born crippled, a miracle happened at the age of 9'

Shoaib Akhtar holds the record of bowling the fastest delivery in international cricket (Reuters/File Photo)

Shoaib Akhtar is regarded as one of the fiercest fast bowlers in the history of cricket. The Rawalpindi Express, a name that has been associated with him since his playing days, is popular among fans for his thunderbolts. What sets him apart from others was his ability to constantly clock 150kmph in the speedometer. Akhtar in fact holds the record of bowling the fastest delivery in international cricket, a record he set back in 2003. The pacer had then touched 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph) during the World Cup encounter against England at Newlands, Cape Town in South Africa.

While fans still enjoy the highlight reels of Akhtar bowling in tandem, it is hard to imagine that this wouldn't have even happened if not for a "miracle". Speaking on Netflix docuseries "India vs Pakistan The Greatest Rivalry", Akhtar made a stunning revelation that he was born a cripple and couldn't walk until the age of 9.

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"A saint used to come to our house. So, he said, 'One guy will come, who will gain fame and recognition all over the world. And my mother was worried. She asked, 'Who will be that guy? Who will it be? What will he do?" said Akhtar. "She told me when I was born, I was crippled. I could not walk. But you know a miracle happened at the age of 9 and I started running. I was running as quick as light," he added.

Akhtar made his international debut in 1997, as Pakistan added another name to their factory of fast bowlers, which included the likes of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. Akhtar went to play 163 ODIs, 46 Tests, and 15 T20Is for Pakistan, in which he registered 444 scalps in an illustrious career spanning for fourteen years.