I turned down £175,000 County contract to fight Kargil War: Shoaib Akhtar

The former Pakistan cricketer, Shoaib Akhtar, who played all formats of the game over a fourteen-year career, is known for making controversial statements. He was involved in several dubious incidents during his career, often accused of unsportsmanlike conduct, despite his match-winning performances in Pakistan’s favour.

Akhtar is also the first bowler to break the 100 mph barrier, doing so twice in his career. The Legendary Pakistan fast bowler has been in the headlines on quite a few occasions after his retirement for making contentious assertions.

Akhtar, who is famously known as The Rawalpindi Express for his express pace, has claimed that he turned down a 175,000-pound contract to play county cricket for Nottinghamshire in order to fight in the Kargil War. The Kargil War was an armed conflict between India and Pakistan in 1999 that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of soldiers from both nations. The cricketer had noted that he was ready to fight for Pakistan and willing to die for his country as well.

“I had a 175,000-pound contract with Nottingham. Then in 2002, I had another big contract. I left both when Kargil happened,” Akhtar was quoted as saying by ARY News.

I left county cricket twice and counties were shocked: Shoaib Akhtar

The veteran speedster continued by saying that he left county cricket twice because of the war. He ascertained to his friends that he is ready to fight for his county and wasn’t concerned about the money.

“I stood on the outskirts of Lahore. A general asked me what I’m doing there. I said a war is about to start and we’ll die together. I left county [cricket] twice like this and the counties were shocked. I wasn’t concerned about that. I called up my friends in Kashmir and told them I am ready to fight.”

Getting his informal title from his birthplace Rawalpindi located in Punjab, Pakistan – The right arm express fast bowler articulated that the war really hurried his heart and it was a big loss for them.

Shoaib Akhtar has picked up 178 and 247 wickets in 46 Tests and 163 ODIs respectively representing his country. He is recognized as the fastest bowler in the history of cricket, currently playing his role as a cricket commentator and a YouTuber.