On This Day In 2002: Shoaib Akhtar Becomes First Man To Clock 100 Miles Per Hour- News18 – News18

On This Day In 2002: Pakistan’s legendary fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar pulled off a special feat on this day, 23 years ago, becoming the first pacer in international cricket to produce a delivery at 100 miles per hour.
Growing up, every aspiring fast-bowler wishes to produce the magic number of 100 mph on the speed clock. Akhtar turned this dream into reality as the Rawalpindi Express reached the great number in a One-Day International series between Pakistan and New Zealand.
During the second ODI of the three-game series played in Lahore in 2002, Akhtar produced a delivery that clocked 161.3 kmph. He became the first bowler since the introduction of speed clocks in international cricket to breach the 100 mph barrier.
There was a controversy surrounding Akhtar’s feat, as the International Cricket Council (ICC) refused to acknowledge his record officially. Since the speed gun used in the match was provided by one of the series sponsors, the game’s governing body showed reluctance to accept it as a formal world record.
While his fans in Pakistan and across the cricketing world were left disappointed, Akhtar himself didn’t create much fuss over ICC’s move and stated, “It doesn’t matter to me whether somebody recognises the speed gun or not."
The flamboyant cricketer soon broke the record officially, this time with ICC’s formal speed guns in operation during the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. Playing against England in a group-stage encounter in Cape Town on March 22, 2003 Akhtar broke the world record with a delivery that clocked a whopping 161.3 kmph, making him officially the first international pacer to reach 100mph.
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The record was achieved on the last ball of the fourth over during the England innings. As Akhtar sent a thundering good-length ball to opener Nick Knight, the speed gun displayed the amazing number.
The giant screen made the record public to the huge crowd at Newlands which gave the Pakistani speedster a round of applause. Akhtar showed a victory sign to the Pakistani dressing room, having finally clinched the feat in the official records.
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