When ‘Rawalpindi Express’ Shoaib Akhtar Was Born! Which Team Would Have Fetched Him In Today’s IPL News24 –
In an era when bowling speeds regularly cross 150 kmph in the IPL, there was once a man who made even the fastest of today’s pacers look ordinary. Born on this day, Shoaib Akhtar “the Rawalpindi Express” remains one of cricket’s most electrifying and polarising figures. Twice unofficially clocked beyond the mythical 100 mph (161 kmph) barrier, Akhtar wasn’t just a fast bowler; he was a spectacle, a headline waiting to happen.
Had the IPL’s current trade window existed during his prime, Shoaib would have been the hottest property in the market. The combination of sheer pace, crowd-pulling charisma, and match-winning spells would have sparked a bidding war unlike anything we’ve seen in 2026 – perhaps even eclipsing the recent mega trades of marquee Indian stars.
Fear and Fire with the Ball
When in rhythm, Shoaib was a terrifying prospect. His searing pace could dismantle the best batting line-ups, and his theatrical celebrations only added to the theatre. Imagine him steaming in at the Wankhede or Eden Gardens in front of a packed IPL crowd – it would have been box-office cricket at its finest.
Yet, his career was as much about controversies as it was about speed. His action came under the scanner for suspected throwing, forcing a remodel. He faced criticism for lackluster performances – most notably during Pakistan’s 2003-04 home series defeat to India and often found himself at odds with team management and selectors.
The Controversial Chapters
Injuries plagued him throughout his career, and when he wasn’t sidelined, he was often in the headlines for the wrong reasons. The list was long: a failed drug test in 2006, a public spat with teammate Mohammad Asif in 2007, and, in a bizarre twist, being declared unfit after an attack of genital warts.
Still, whenever he returned, he could still produce bursts of brilliance – those fast-bowling spells that reminded fans why he was feared worldwide.
The IPL 2026 Hypothetical
Picture this: In the IPL 2026 trade window, a fully fit Shoaib Akhtar in his prime. Which team wouldn’t want him? A side like Sunrisers Hyderabad could pair him with Umran Malik to unleash double pace terror. CSK might see him as a match-winner at Chepauk, while Mumbai Indians would love the brand value he brings along with his raw speed.
Given today’s market dynamics, Shoaib would likely command a contract north of Rs 20 crore and even that might feel like a bargain when you factor in his star power. Yes, he’d come with the risk of injuries and drama, but franchises today love personalities who can light up both the field and the headlines.
The Final Whistle
Shoaib Akhtar retired after a subdued 2011 World Cup, but his legend lives on – in YouTube compilations, in the stories of batsmen who faced him, and in the “what if” conversations that cricket fans love to have.
In the context of the IPL 2026 trade window, there’s no doubt: if the Rawalpindi Express were in his prime, he’d be the most talked-about player in the league – not just for his speed, but for the whirlwind of drama, charisma, and raw cricketing theatre he would bring.
The truth is, cricket has seen fast bowlers, but there has only ever been one Shoaib Akhtar. And in today’s IPL, that would make him priceless.