Shoaib Akhtar (Punjabi (Punjabi language), lang-urNastaliq???? ????; born 13 August 1975 in Rawalpindi, Punjab (Punjab (Pakistan))) is a Pakistani (Pakistan national cricket team) cricketer, and is one of the fastest bowlers in the world, earning him the name Rawalpindi Express. He set a world record by clocking 161.3 km/h (100.2 mph) twice. His ability to bowl fast yorkers, well disguised slow balls, swinging deliveries (including reverse swing), and sharp bouncers have made him lethal even on dead pitches.

However, he has never been far from controversy, often accused of not being a team player. Shoaib was sent back home from a tour in Australia in 2005. A year later he was embroiled in a drug scandal after testing positive for a banned substance. However, the ban imposed on him was lifted on appeal. In September 2007, Shoaib was banned by the PCB for an indefinite period for the alleged brawl with his team-mate Mohammad Asif. On 1 April 2008 Shoaib was banned for five years for publicly criticizing the policies of the Pakistan Cricket Board. As of October 2008, the Lahore High Court has suspended the 5 year ban until the hearing for the case takes place and Shoaib has been named in the 15-man squad for the Twenty20 Quadrangular Tournament in Canada.