Shoaib Akhtar's 161 km/h Thunderbolt – The Fastest Ball in Cricket History
On a historic day during the 2003 Cricket World Cup, Pakistan's "Rawalpindi Express" roared down the pitch and etched his name into the record books forever. Shoaib Akhtar bowled a delivery at a staggering 161.3 kilometers per hour (100.23 mph) against England’s Nick Knight — making it the fastest recorded ball in cricket history.
With sheer aggression, explosive pace, and a slingy action that terrified batters worldwide, Akhtar wasn't just fast — he was lightning unleashed. That ball wasn't just a delivery; it was a statement — a symbol of raw speed and Pakistan’s pace legacy. Even today, no one has officially broken that mark, and Shoaib Akhtar remains the undisputed king of pace in world cricket.
