'I want to become the fastest bowler like Shoaib Akhtar'- Pakistan's U19 pacer Akif Javed

Every two years, a U19 Cricket World Cup rolls around and fans around the world get to see the emerging talents of World Cricket. They get a sneak-peak into what the future holds for this beautiful and who will the torchbearers for their country in the coming days. The latest edition of the U19 World Cup is set to take place in the rainbow nation South Africa from January 17th where we will see a plethora of future stars in action.

Pakistan U19 team of the 2020 batch also boasts of some young exciting talents who could go on and become the flagbearers for their senior side in years to follow. The likes of Rohail Nazir, Omair Yousuf, Akif Javed, and Mohammad Waseem Junior will be one of the many players to watch out for in the rainbow nation. And, fast bowler Akif Javed has already set his eyes on what he intends to achieve at the quadrennial event.

The left-arm pacer shared his journey in a special Youtube video posted by the Pakistan Cricket Board where he revealed that his aim at the U19 World Cup is to break Shoaib Akhtar’s record of bowling the fastest delivery in cricket.

“I want to become the fastest bowler like Shoaib Akhtar. My fastest delivery is 145 but my aim is to bowl the fastest bowl in the history of cricket,” Akif revealed as quoted by arysports.tv.

Akif Javed opens up on his childhood

Akif went on to reminisce about his childhood days when he used to work with his father in a shop and how he couldn’t concentrate on his work because his mind was always on cricket.

“Since childhood, I love playing cricket and used to play tape ball in my village. I worked with my father in a shop and at the same time had to focus on my cricket too but while working most of the time I couldn’t concentrate on my work and the only thing in my mind was cricket,” He added.

The left-hander claimed the wicket of veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez in the recent National T20 Cup, and he regards it as one of the proudest moments of his career. Akif revealed how he tries to copy the action of his favourite bowler- Mohammad Amir and also how he feels while working alongside world-class coaches in the National Cricket Academy.

“My favourite bowler is Mohammad Amir and I also try to copy him and focus on the swing just like him. When I gave the trials, I bowled around 146 kph then I came to NCA and coaches have worked hard with me,” Akif revealed.

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