From the vault: Shoaib Akhtar's demolition Durban

Watch the world's fastest bowler rattle Proteas' woodwork in his first-ever five-for in Tests

The Kolkata thunderbolts to Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid are widely hailed as the two deliveries that announced Shoaib Akhtar’s arrival at the international stage.

The 1999 Test at the Eden Gardens was Shoaib’s ninth. The first eight Tests had their own moments of brilliance interspersed with some dour and listless moments and spells where Shoaib drifted aimlessly.

Almost a year before conquering Kolkata — 367 days to be precise — Shoaib had pummelled the Proteas with a blitz that played a major role in Pakistan’s first-ever Test win against the rainbow nation.



PHOTO: AFP

After an absorbing stalemate in the first Test at Johannesburg’s Bull ring, the two teams moved to Durban where the Kingsmead played host.

They say first innings set-up a Test, Shoaib did exactly that on the second day of the match. Batting first Pakistan were rescued by one of the greatest rear-guard acts in Test history — Azhar Mahmood’s 163 ball 132, embellished by 24 fours.

Shoaib hung around for 82 minutes with Azhar, resisting the charge of the intimidating South African bowling quartet of Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener and Fanie de Villiers — fending away balls aimed at the jugular.

Pakistan reached a combative 259; by the time the day ended, the visitors had snared one South African wicket.



On day two the battle recommenced, after playing out the first session without any major hiccups the duo of Jacques Kallis and debutant HD Ackerman were eyeing big scores.

Stand-in Pakistan captain Aamir Sohail was desperate for a breakthrough. As the first hint of reverse swing appeared Sohail handed the ball to his tearaway quick.

PHOTO: AFP

Showtime Shoaib

The 23-year-old had a pounding 40-yard run; his approach to the wicket was almost a mirror reflection of his idol Waqar Younis in his hey days. Waqar was positioned at mid-on as Shoaib steamed in with the 51-over old ball in his right hand.

Wearing the true Rockstar look, Shoaib was all adrenaline; the shirt collar was unbuttoned and stretched to its absolute limit. Black silky hair, eyes staring at the batsmen like a wild beast honing on a potential prey.



The sleeves were rolled-up; the flannels enveloped a pair of creaky knees that were for once not objecting to Shoaib’s violent abuse not only to the joints but possibly each and every sinew in his body.

Surely cricket had its own incarnation of the chocolate hero.

PHOTO: AFP

Kallis was the first victim, a rapid-fire length delivery that held its own line and knocked back the off-pole, Shoaib screamed in joy. Next-up Andrew Hudson, the veteran recalled for the Durban Test, 12 months had passed since his last long-format international.

Five years ago, Hudson and Kingsmead had witnessed similar carnage — 5 for 25 by Waqar. Waqar’s reverse swing had crashed through Hudson’s defence in the first game of the ODI series. In that game, Hudson was batting on 93 yet was incredibly hopeless against the speed, sling, swing and that Pakistani fast bowler swag.

What chance did Hudson have when encountered with the same lethal combo on the very first ball of his innings?

Absolutely none! Five years later too Hudson’s haplessness was almost tragic. A full-pitched was delivered; the right-hander for some strange reason offered no shot, the ball boomeranged blindingly fast, rapped on the back pad in front of all three, not sure if there have been any plumber LBWs in Test history.



Tea was taken with South Africa five down. Shoaib had two in his kitty; the tea break was more of a refuelling break for the speedster, he was huffing and puffing after every delivery before tea but he wasn’t done yet.

The ball was now in the 70th over as Shoaib galloped for a burst at Boucher. Mark Boucher playing his first full Test series since Dave Richardson’s retirement, this was a true test of character. His second innings heroics later in the game brought his team close to a win but eventually went in vain.

In the first dig, Shoaib blew him away with a yorker delivered at a million miles an hour. Watch the video closely; the bat tries to jam the ball on the off-stump when the middle is already flattened! #beatenforpace.

Lance Klusener was the fourth scalp, just like Kallis he played at the wrong line, but unlike Kallis he was not even close to the ball, as Robin Jackman commented “He played for one delivered at the Bakerloo when it was coming down the Waterloo.”

PHOTO: AFP

By the time de Villiers (Fanie not AB) walked into bat, Shoaib had almost spent all his energy. But there was a five-for the taking, a maiden one at that. And when Shoaib ran in even with almost nothing left in the proverbial tank, de Villiers was very much a walking wicket.

Mirroring the efforts of his more illustrious batting partners Kallis and Klusener, Fanie too played down the wrong line, the off-stump tool another severe beating, Shoaib’s spell had devoured five for the first time in Tests.

Highlights

- When watching the video turn up the speakers, hear the screams of young girls, some had already fallen in love with the Rawalpindi Express and the sight and sound of clattering stumps!

- Waqar’s bear hugs for his disciple are also worth a look at.